Jewels

A great old Moroccan silver bangle featuring the characteristic incised geometrical incised decoration and with some areas decorated in black and showing a wonderful silver granulation work. This kind of pieces a found mainly in Mauritania, Western Sahara and areas of Southern Morocco. 

An old silver bangle featuring the characteristic geometrical incised decoration and with some areas in black . This kind of piece is mainly found in Mauritania, Western Sahara and areas of southern Morocco. 

A beautiful pair of Berber silver bangles featuring a brilliant work of granulation. This kind of work is very characteristic of the deep south of Morocco (Goulimine), Mauritania and vast areas of Western Sahara. 

A very attractive Berber old silver bracelet. It has lost part of its chiselled decoration due to intensive use but it has got a wonderful patina instead. 

A superb set of seven old Moroccan Berber silver bangles ornated with incised decoration. In the origin it was a city piece of jewellery. One of its names was "simana" in reference to the seven days of the week. Other names: -slouk-, that is, -threads of iron-. 

A superb new silver Tuareg  bracelet or -khulkhal- from Niger  with an intricate and beautiful engraving work with protective designs for the wearer. Other names: -kholkhal-, -khalkhal-, -khelkhal-, -natal-. Adjustable.

A very attractive Berber old silver bracelet. It has lost part of its chiselled decoration due to intensive use but it has got a wonderful patina instead. 

A very attractive Berber old silver bracelet. It has lost part of its chiselled decoration due to intensive use but it has got a wonderful patina instead. 

A nice Berber molded and chiselled silver bracelet from Morocco. This is a design that originated in an urban environment -citadine- in North Morocco and then spread to other areas such as Rif, Jbala and further to Southern Morocco. Other names: -taasir saboun-. Mid- XXth century.

A nice Berber molded and chiselled silver bracelet from Morocco. This is a design that originated in an urban environment -citadine- in North Morocco and then spread to other areas such as Rif, Jbala and further to Southern Morocco. Other names: -taasir saboun-. Mid- XXth century.

A very fancy Bohemian glass beads necklace from the 1920’. Glass masters from Bohemia and Moravia have been producing glass beads from more than ten centuries. Of course also during the European colonial period exporting large quantities of trade beads. Very precious for locals in West Africa for its fancy colors and numerous shapes. Elegant!

We use the term trade beads to refer to the European made glass beads that were used by the European merchants and explorers in the trade in Africa as from the 15th century and continued during their colonial expansion.

The history of trade beads in Africa takes us then to the 15th century and the arrival of the Euro-pean, mainly the Portuguese, to the coasts of West Africa. The European discovered quite soon how much the people they met there fancied beads and saw they an opportunity for trade. Amongst the beads that captivated the African people most were glass beads since the techniques for their making had not yet been developed locally. The locals fell for the precious and colorful glass beads such as Venetian millefiori or chevron beads that the European traders had on offer and bartered them for commodities such as precious woods, ivory, gold and even used, ignomi-niously, in the slave trade. The increasing demand in Africa of European made glass beads conti-nued quite until the first half of the 20th century and it had a boosting effect in the production in cities such as Venice which glass beads became very popular and coveted.

An eye-catching and fancy Kuchi necklace from Afghanistan. It is made of beautifully chained metal beads and glass cabochons. The Kuchi people, from the Persian -koch- meaning migration, are Afghan pashtoons nomads divided in a number of tribes that inhabit areas of Afghanistan and, to a lesser extent, Pakistan. Their jewellery has become extremely popular among those practising oriental dances and belly-dancing.

A magnificent old Kuchi silver and glass necklace. This piece is an excellet sample of jewellery from that ethnic group. It is made of silver, glass cabochons and other tiny beads. Superb patina and piece. The real thing and certainly not one of the modern version on offer nowadays. The Kuchi people, from the Persian -koch- meaning migration, are Afghan pastoons nomads divided in a number of tribes that inhabit areas of Afghanistan and, to a lesser extent, Pakistan. Early XXth century.

A superb silver and enamel necklace from the Hazara, an ethnic minority group of persian origin that lives in central and Northeastern Afghanistan and in Northwestern Pakistan. This necklace features three flat silver plaques beautifully enameled in two different shades of blue and red with plant decoration. Sadly the technique for the making of these quality pieces has faded. The ensemble also includes nice silver beads and tiny blue, white and green glass beads which make the arrangement extremely attractive. A trip to the "Arabian Nights". The silver plaques are form the second half of the XIXth century and the arrangement more recent.

An exquisite old silver, red coral and turquoise bracelet. It features a wonderful chiselled and engraved decoration and most appealing rosettes ornated with coral and turquoise cabochons. Its design takes us to the pashtoon tribes in Northern Pakistan and Afghanistan. The quality of the chiselling, engraving and granulation on this piece is outstanding, elegant and well-balanced. First half of the XXth century.

A very attractive Berber old silver bracelet. It has lost part of its chiselled decoration due to intensive use but it has got a wonderful patina instead. 

A great old Moroccan Berber silver bracelet from the Occidental Anti-Atlas. Beautiful incised decoration and very nice patina.

A very attractive Berber old silver bracelet. It has lost part of its chiselled decoration due to intensive use but it has got a wonderful patina instead. 

A Berber silver and enamel bracelet from the city of Tiznit in South Morocco. Ornated with blue, green and yellow enamel. Very good quality of work. Adjustable size.

There are not many examples of beadwork weaving among the Berbers, this labor is much more frequent in sub-Saharan Africa. This beautiful pectoral necklace comes from the Taza region in the Moroccan Middle Atlas.

A lovely necklace made of old recycled -pâte de verre- discs from Ghana. 

A lovely necklace made of old recycled -pâte de verre- discs from Ghana. 

A lovely necklace made of old recycled -pâte de verre- discs from Ghana. 

A lovely necklace made of old recycled -pâte de verre- discs from Ghana. 

A lovely necklace made of old recycled -pâte de verre- discs from Ghana. 

A lovely necklace made of old recycled -pâte de verre- beads from Ghana. 

A lovely necklace made of old recycled -pâte de verre- beads from Ghana. 

A lovely necklace made of recycled glass beads -pâte de verre- from Ghana. 

An old silver bangle featuring the characteristic geometrical incised decoration and with some areas in black and red. This kind of piece is mainly found in Mauritania, Western Sahara and areas of southern Morocco. 

A very attractive Berber old silver bracelet. It has lost part of its chiselled decoration due to intensive use but it has got a wonderful patina instead. 

A cute old Moroccan Berber silver bangle ornated with incised decoration. In the origin it was a city piece of jewellery. As a part of a seven bangle set they were known as "simana" in reference to the seven days of the week. Other names: -slouk-, that is, -threads of iron-. 

A cute old Moroccan Berber silver bangle ornated with incised decoration. In the origin it was a city piece of jewellery. As a part of a seven bangle set they were known as "simana" in reference to the seven days of the week. Other names: -slouk-, that is, -threads of iron-. 

A Very original set of one hundred and two vintage gilding bath silver beads from the skillful hands of a Mauritanian artisan. Uniques!

Avarage diametre between 5 and 7mm

Superb gilding bath silver beads necklace. It features the characteristic and intricate granulated and filigree decoration of the Mauritanian goldsmiths. Second half of the 20th century.

Central bead measures 17mm in diameter and the smallest 7mm.

A superb strand of Dutch glass trade beads popularly called "moon beads" due to the beautiful opalescent reflection they produce to the light. They were among the trade beads produced in the Netherlands in the 18th century and were widely popular among the Dogons in Mali and also in Ethiopia.

The Dutch beadmaking industry seems to have a short but intense history. Since the SXVI, large quantities of glass beads were produced in the city of Amsterdam thanks to the incorporation of Venetian beadmakers who brought in the necessary techniques and tools to supply Dutch merchants in the incipient trade with the colonies in Africa, Asia and the New World.

We use the term trade beads to refer to the European made glass beads that were used by the European merchants and explorers in the trade in Africa as from the 15th century and continued during their colonial expansion.

The history of trade beads in Africa takes us then to the 15th century and the arrival of the European, mainly the Portuguese, to the coasts of West Africa. The European discovered quite soon how much the people they met there fancied beads and saw they an opportunity for trade. Amongst the beads that captivated the African people most were glass beads since the techniques for their making had not yet been developed locally. The locals fell for the precious and colorful glass beads such as Venetian millefiori or chevron beads that the European traders had on offer and bartered them for commodities such as precious woods, ivory, gold and even used, ignominiously, in the slave trade. The increasing demand in Africa of European made glass beads continued quite until the first half of the 20th century and it had a boosting effect in the production in cities such as Venice which glass beads became very popular and coveted.