Out Of Granma’s Dusty Yurt

I quite like ethnic jewellery when it is quirky and interesting — preferably old, if not antique — and definitely not of airport souvenir ilk.

This necklace is actually made up of two separate pieces that originated on different continents, but they suit each other perfectly.

Woven from white seed beads, the necklace is vintage 1940s; I found it years ago at the Camberwell Sunday Market. I avoid wearing it with my hair down however, because it tends to get tangled in the tiny gaps between the beads. It immediately came to mind when I first held the tassel and pondered how to wear it. 

An Afghani vintage piece and one of a pair, the 20cm tassel pendant is from Palm Beads, a jewellery boutique I often browse in. These decorative tassels were originally worn by nomads, often in the hair. Some were hung in the yurt (to ward off the Evil Eye), although they, and other ethnic embroideries, are now viewed as rather old-fashioned.

I disagree, but I am not a nomad of course. For me it is a striking piece that conjures up exotic lands and times, rather than granma’s dusty yurt!

Love it? Here is another for sale.