Gold necklace, Ethiopia

Harar low grade gold necklace, from East Ethiopia, with “muria” beads. The two orange beads are old phenolic resin. The “muria” beads are worn in an extended area from eastern Ethiopia to Djibouti and Yemen.

Since Harar province is Muslim, the jewelry is more opulent than in Christian territory. Acquired at the time of marriage, it is made by goldsmiths influenced by Yemeni jewelry.

Low grade gold on some sort of core, maybe wood or resin.

From the first half of the 20th century.

Provenance: European private collection.

Dimensions:

Total length (only beads): 49 cm
Diameter of the beads: 2 cm

Weight: 149,2 gr

Literature:

“Colliers ethniques d’Afrique d’Asie, d’Océanie et d’Amérique”, Leurquin, Anne, Skira, 2003, p. 111
“Africa Adorned”, Fisher, Angela, Collins Harvill, London, 1984
“Jewelry of Ethiopia”, Prodanovik, Aleksandra, The Museum of African art, 2010
“Joyas del Africa oriental”, Kumbi Saleh, 2006