19th C. Ottoman & African Silver & Brass Jewelry, 6 pcs

Eastern Europe, Balkans, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire, ca. 19th to early 20th century; Northern Africa, Algeria / Morocco, Berber, ca. 19th century CE; Near East, Yemen / Oman, Bedouin, ca. 19th century CE. A collection of 6 pieces of jewelry: a Berber enamel bracelet, an Ottoman gilt brass cuff, a matched pair of high-quality sterling silver Bedouin earrings, a Berber brass and glass ring, and a sterling silver Berber ring with a Venetian Murrina glass inlay. Please see the extended description below for more information on each piece. Size (glass ring face): 0.75" Diameter (1.9 cm); (band opening): 0.75" Diameter (1.9 cm); US ring size: 4.5; (silver ring face): 0.85" Diameter (2.2 cm); (band opening): 0.77" Diameter (2 cm); silver quality: 94.16%; weight: 10.4 grams; US ring size: 4.25; (earrings): 1.8" L x 0.3" W (4.6 cm x 0.8 cm); silver quality: 94.23% to 95.6%; weight: 4.4 grams; (cuff bracelet): 2.8" Diameter x 1.6" W (7.1 cm x 4.1 cm); (enamel bracelet): 2.4" Diameter x 1.1" W (6.1 cm x 2.8 cm)

The enameled bracelet is 72.94% silver and comprised of 2 large silver plates connected by a hinge and pin clasp - the exterior is adorned with colorful blue, green, and yellow enamel and raised granulated spheres and 4 bezels containing red coral. The cuff bracelet is cast brass with 12% to 18% silver and 26.5% gold gilt inlays with large protruding bosses at the sides and smaller rosettes along the flanges. This style originates in Medieval times in Macedonia and Thrace as a fertility symbol that was presented to brides on their wedding day. The first ring is nickel-brass with a rosette face inlaid with red, green, and blue faceted glass. The other ring is 94.16% sterling silver, with a thick shank and lovely applied granulation and wires around the central glass inlay. The Venetian Murrina inlay is comprised of multicolored canes of glass cut in cross-sections to reveal the inner layers which creates the eye like patterns. The Bedouin earrings are also high-quality silver between 94.23% to 95.67%, and consist of silver sheets rolled into a hollow conical shape with foliate shaped wirework and granulation decorating the front and base of the earlobe hook. The bracelets and rings are wearable, but the earrings would need added ear hooks due to the inelasticity of the original wires.

Provenance: ex-Davis collection, Houston, Texas, acquired before 2013 from various auction houses in London and New York

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#140101
Condition Report: Earring wires are fragile and are not wearable as is. Could be made wearable with added ear hooks. Bending and indentations to earring forms. Rings and bracelets are wearable. Wear and losses to gilt and enamel on both bracelets. Pin and hinge articulate on the enamel bracelet. Toning and patina throughout all.