Jewels

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 superb pair of old silver hoops from the Hazara, an ethnic minority group of persian origin that lives in central and Northeastern Afghanistan and in Northwestern Pakistan. This sample shows outstanding engraving and it is rimmed with delicate granulation work. Large size. It probably comes from the Nuristan region in Afghanistan or from Pakistan. An example of this quality and age are very hard to come by and have become very much sought after. Early XXth century.

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.

A pair of old Berber silver earrings found in Taliouine in Southern Morocco. They are worn by the women of the group of the A

A pair of Berber silver earrings from Morocco. Their design makes them very attractive and wearable. Nice engraved decoration.

A pair of Berber silver earrings from Morocco. Their design makes them very attractive and wearable. Nice engraved decoration.

A beautiful pair of old Afghan silver and coral long earrings. Their design is very original. Great patina.

A beautiful pair of old Afghan silver and coral ong earrings. Their design is very original. Great patina.

A nice set of old Afghan earrings made of old silver and coral beads.They are further ornated with small cabochons of turquoise and coral. Joyful and great to wear.

A beautiful pair of old Afghan silver and coral ong earrings. Their design is very original. Great patina.

A nice set of old Afghan earrings made of old silver and coral beads.They are further ornated with small cabochons of turquoise and coral. Joyful and great to wear.

A nice set of old Afghan earrings made of old silver and coral beads.They are further ornated with small cabochons of turquoise and coral. Joyful and great to wear.

A beautiful pair of old Afghan silver and coral ong earrings. Their design is very original. Great patina.

A nice set of old Afghan earrings made of old silver and coral beads.They are further ornated with small cabochons of turquoise and coral. Joyful and great to wear.

A nice set of old Afghan earrings made of old silver and coral beads.They are further ornated with small cabochons of turquoise and coral. Joyful and great to wear.

A superb pair of Afghan Kuchi old silver and red coral large hoops. They show a detailed silver work that evidences the mastery of the silversmith that made them. 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.

A nice set of old Afghan earrings made of old silver and coral beads.They are further ornated with small cabochons of turquoise and coral. Joyful and great to wear.

A nice set of old Afghan earrings made of old silver and coral beads.They are further ornated with small cabochons of turquoise and coral. Joyful and great to wear.

A nice set of old Afghan earrings made of old silver and coral beads.They are further ornated with small cabochons of turquoise and coral. Joyful and great to wear.

A superb pair of Afghan Kuchi old silver and red coral large hoops. They show a detailed silver work that evidences the mastery of the silversmith that made them. 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.

A nice set of old Afghan earrings made of old silver and coral beads.They are further ornated with small cabochons of turquoise and coral. Joyful and great to wear.

A nice set of old Afghan earrings made of old silver and coral beads.They are further ornated with small cabochons of turquoise and coral. Joyful and great to wear.

A nice set of old Afghan earrings made of old silver and coral beads.They are further ornated with small cabochons of turquoise and coral. Joyful and great to wear.

A nice set of old Afghan earrings made of old silver and coral beads.They are further ornated with small cabochons of turquoise and coral. Joyful and great to wear.

A superb pair of Afghan Kuchi old silver and red coral large hoops. They show a detailed silver work that evidences the mastery of the silversmith that made them. 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.

A superb pair of Afghan Kuchi old silver, red coral and turquoise large hoops. They show a detailed silver work that evidences the mastery of the silversmith that made them. They are particularly eye-catching the turquoise and coral cabochons and the elaborate design of the chains from which beautiful red coral beads are suspended. Pieces of this quality are hard to come by nowadays. 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.

A nice set of old Afghan earrings made of old silver and coral beads.They are further ornated with small cabochons of turquoise and coral. Joyful and great to wear.

A nice set of old Afghan earrings made of old silver and coral beads.They are further ornated with small cabochons of turquoise and coral. Joyful and great to wear.

A wonderful pair of silver earrings engraved with simple Tuareg motifs from Niger. We have not really seen many like these in our modest tour. Truly a collector's piece! Unfortunately one of the pins is defective, although it would not be difficult to repair it.

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.