Lebanon, Kinship Stories, Eight Cultures

Around 44 cms to the end of the tassel

Name: Eight Cultures 

Collection: Celebrating Art and Supporting Artisanship

Cultures: Turkey, Afghanistan, India, Morocco, Jordan, Vietnam, Egypt, Uzbekistan

This handmade tribal art necklace comprises a variety of cultures and carries, between its beads & threads, historical evidence of a world on the verge of extinction.

The base of this necklace is Uzbek. It is woven by hand, creating typical alternating colors along a solid cord. The beads are made with coral from Vietnam. Coral comes from marine reefs. Prized since antiquity for its color and natural beauty, coral has traditionally been considered a mysterious, powerful and sacred gem -perhaps because it originates from a living organism. The purple tassel is Uzbek. It is around 60-80 years old and it once adorned the borders of someone’s tapestry. 

The triangular centerpiece, is a vintage hand-embroidered amulet from Afghanistan. Such pieces of textiles have historically been sewn to clothing or attached at home doors, and have hid, within them, a variety of protective prayers. Triangles are prized for their protective powers in most cultures. The fabric on top was originally part of a vintage Indian male hat. It must be around 30-50 years old. Handmade by Rabari women, well known for their superior and colorful embroidery, the hat was once worn as a practical and decorative identifier by a man in north-western India. 

Hanging from the central fabric, the tassel is made by Rabari women. The Rabaris are a nomadic tribe roaming the North-Western desert of India. They are well-known for their spectacular, colorful textiles and beautiful silver.  This tassel is 40 to 60 years old and it originally adorned traditional dowry bags.

The sterling silver pieces on the left and right are traditional from Egypt and Morocco respectively. The latter goes back to the middle of the twentieth century at least. The brass bell is from Afghanistan while the tooth is an actual wolf tooth from Jordan. It is worn as a protective device.

In a world of technology, globalization, and consumerism, this necklace stands as a call for authenticity, uniqueness, distinction and culture. This necklace is for you, the woman who can communicate the kinship stories, our ancestor’s stories, but also the woman who appreciates beauty and cherishes her originality. It is entirely handmade and is a one-of-a-kind piece, just like you.