Artwork Page for Necklace (ashän ketab) with amulet pendants (tälsäm) and bead

Details / Information for Necklace (ashän ketab) with amulet pendants (tälsäm) and bead

Necklace (ashän ketab) with amulet pendants (tälsäm) and bead

late 1800s or early 1900s

Africa, East Africa, Ethiopia, unknown silversmith

Medium
mercury-gilded copper alloy
Credit Line
Gift of Raymond A. Silverman 2025.154
Public Domain
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Location
108C African Jewelry and Metalwork
Print
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Did You Know?

Gold and silver jewelry has been made in Ethiopia for at least 2000 years.

Description

Ornate filigree jewelry was historically made in Ethiopia for royals and nobility by specialized silversmiths trained through long apprenticeships. This gold-washed silver necklace is composed of numerous box-shaped amulet pendants (tälsäm) meant to ward off the evil eye or other dangers. Linked to Islamic amuletic practices, the boxes are effective whether empty or whether they contain magical or prayerful texts. Their fine filigree and granulation work is characteristic of Harar as well as the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian city of Aksum.
A gilded necklace features three ornate pendants clustered at the base of a black cord. Two circular, dome-shaped ornaments flank a central barrel-shaped bead. Each dome is decorated with concentric rings of fine, raised patterns and tiny, beaded textures. The central bead is vertically ribbed and similarly detailed. These warm gold components are densely covered in intricate patterns throughout, contrasting with the dark, thin cord.

Necklace (ashän ketab) with amulet pendants (tälsäm) and bead

late 1800s or early 1900s

Africa, East Africa, Ethiopia, unknown silversmith

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