Ethnic Design Collection Reto Zehnder

Possible origin middle East or Central Asia. Any information is welcomed.

Interesting string of small brass elements (47 triangular elements) plus additional elements (see pict.). Use unknown divination? cache-sexe?. Origin maroua Cameroon. Any help for identification is welcomed.

These tubular brass beads are real antique brass elements. Precise origin is not known. They have nice decoration and signs of extended intensive use.

Originally used as hair ornaments that would represent wealth, or worn braided onto a leather thong as a currency belt, and used as currency in tribal trade. Some have a  "snake skin" cross-hatch pattern. To add to an African collection or polished many of them make beautiful fingerrings.

Brass rings from West Africa, some may be Dogon, some others from Nigeria.  Originally used as hair ornaments that would represent wealth, or worn braided onto a leather thong as a currency belt, and used as currency in tribal trade. Some have a  "snake skin" cross-hatch pattern. 

17 antique brass bells with a bar-shaped loop for stringing. They have a very lovely "jingle-bell" sound when shaken. Each bell is a unique piece of lost wax cast. They show sign of intensive and long use (see pict.)

This 3 antique brass bells have a very lovely "jingle-bell" sound when shaken. Each bell is a unique piece of lost wax cast.  

12 antique brass bells with a bar-shaped loop for stringing. They have a very lovely "jingle-bell" sound when shaken. Each bell is a unique piece of lost wax cast. 

Nine brass elements from West Africa (Volta region) and Central Africa (Camerron). Three of them are part of cache sexes the others are pendants, some extremely lovely pieces with great patina.

This 4 antique brass bells have a very lovely "jingle-bell" sound when shaken. Each bell is a unique piece of lost wax cast, all with nice patina. 

These pendants assembled with leather, metal sheets are called Bogdäd ou Mogdad.  Such crosses are worn around the neck or integrated as a central element in necklacescruciform pendants from Mauretania. The price is for the lot of 5, they can alco be sold individually.

According to K. Schneider (1999 p. 265) such pendants had a protective function against illness, particularly the river blindness. As a rule, they were tied around the hips with a shoelace.

These brass pendants, probably part of a necklace  seems to be worn by men as a sign of fertility. Can also be sold by unit, please contact us.

This beautiful and rare tubular bead is probably Senoufo or from surrounding tribes

This pendant was typical among the Gouin, the Karaboro, the Turka or the Toussian ethnic groups. According to Glar 2015, it was probably made by blacksmiths in Banfora. The 3 triangles represent a stylised chameleon; their bases are decorated with spirals

This pendant was typical among the Gouin, the Karaboro, the Turka or the Toussian ethnic groups. According to Glar 2015, it was probably made by blacksmiths in Banfora. The triangle is the result of an increasingly advanced stylisation of the shape of the chameleon.

Wxact ortigin not known, but beautiful vintage elements for your own jewellery design.

Two beautiful round brass elements with two rings rotated by 90 degrees with respect to each other. The hollow space of one is filled with black clay. the use is unknown but similar to items 134.02.1390

Three beautiful heavy brass elements with two rings rotated by 90 degrees with respect to each other. The hollow space is filled with black clay. Their use is unknown (harnassement? ). They can also be sold individually.

Dogon pendant necklace

Beautiful brass element in lost wax technique. the attachment is rotated 90 degrees with respect to the body of the pendant. A nice element for your individual jewellery design.

Independantm Dogon pendant wit 3 brass cercles mounted on a leather base

A forged pendant  from ethnic groups on the border of Burkina Faso and Ghana. The visible decorations were created, in post production, by hammering.

Origin and use uncertain, but interesting elements to be integrated into your original jewellery design.

Independant bar, part of Ethiopian or Yemeni jewellery, excellent element to create a new jewelry design.

Ancient tooth pendant from southern Ethiopia mounted in excellent silver work

The tear-shaped pendants are most probably from the Sidamo region of Ethiopia. Interesting collectables or to be integrated into your own jewellery design.

Origin and use uncertain, but interesting elements to be integrated into your original jewellery design.

A small  tscherot amulet made of brass, silver alloy and iron.

A beautiful brass hairpin surmounted by a motif representing a scorpion. Only married Mossi women are allowed to stick them in their headdress.