Ethnic Design Collection Reto Zehnder

Silver crescent wedding necklaces such as this were traditionally worn long ago, and are associated with the rural areas around Harar, Somalia and Yemen. In fair condition, some bells may have been lost and replaced (see pict.)

Nice necklace  in perfect condition, easy to be worn as such or used for your design in jewelry making.

Origin Southern Ethiopia, collected in the 1980 ties. Probably of one of the Sidamo ethnic groups. The pectoral plate is a heavy massive brass plate.

Rare torque with long strands of copper and blue and white glass beads. Origin Southern Ethiopia ethnic group, exact origin not defined.

Collected on the Southern Ethiopian border this necklace could not be identified. The glass rings resemble to those found in West Africa. we would appreciate any information concerning this necklace.

A nice necklace from the Ethiopian highlands with two beautiful and large silver beads.

Nice ready to wear choker with Ethiopian phallus shaped fertility symbols. The closure is by  an old button with imperial insignia

Nercklace composed of 6 trpezoidal elements and a crntral nicely cinseled triangular charm. All elements with bangles. the necklace is in its original state, needs to be restrung and fitted with a clasp.

To be worn as such or used for jewelry making.

Long necklace with, beads of unknown silver content, to be worn as such or used for jewelry making.

A trapezoidal pendant with a string of metal beads of different sizes

A set of 3 strings with beads of various sizes to be used for jewelry making.

A set of 3 strings with beads of various sizes to be used for jewelry making.

28 long oblong heavy beads in silver alloy of unknown silver content. The origin of this kind of beads could not be assessed. If the necklace has to be worn it needs to be restrung and fitted with a clasp.

30 long oblong heavy beads in silver alloy of unknown silver content. The origin of this kind of beads could not be assessed. If the necklace has to be worn it needs to be restrung and fitted with a clasp.

A double string with tube like beads and a square pendant. Fitted with a clasp.

Long string of tiny Ethiopian "heishi" beads, with 4 larger beads and an orthodox cross its end.

 Finely chiseled crescent, square and triangular shaped charms, mounted with tubular beads in between.Telsums are a part of the dowry given on the engagement day to the bride from the groom.

To be worn around the wrist or the anklet, typical for the Southern highlands.

To be worn around the wrist or the anklet, typical for the Southern highlands.

Six necklaces to needing minor repairs (restrung) or they can be used of elements for jewelry making. All beads are old and in perfect condition.

Prayer beads with 63 small beads 2 large ones and 2 synthetic ? amber beads. The string ends with with a single, elongated marker bead at the end and coloured cotton tassel. The number of beads  correspond neither to the Christian not the Muslim "rosaries", 

Eight round silver beads, mounted with small round and tubular beads.

Twenty antique and extremly finely worked telsum charms on a dark blue cotton cord. Thea are in either circular, triangular or crescent shaped, all are still in their gilded state. They are of perfect condition.Tiangular pendants were worn to guard against the evil eye and crescent-shaped pendants were worn to guard against the crescent moon.

Eight disc shaped old syntetic amber beads mounted with small round beads  in silver aloy. Original mounting with a thick cotton string.

The necklace in it original shape. mounted on thick rope and finishes with 2 beads

Made out of 11 nice Muria beads and to conic beads to end the necklace.

old and intensly worn hollow Muria beads. The are casted in 2 half and then assembled. Once finely polished this can make a beautiful necklace.

Nicely casted conic shaped beads, to be worn as necklace or used as spacers for jewelry making.