Tag Archives: amber

2021 Jewelry Sale #1: Mostly Oaxaca + Morocco, India, Israel

Posted on Friday, January 1, 2021 | 4 comments

Happy New Year 2021. Over the years, living in Oaxaca, I have collected some outstanding pieces of jewelry. Some I purchased to support artisan-makers whose work I admired and respected. Some were never or rarely worn (isn’t that the definition of a collection?). Other pieces are featured here, too, that are from my travels to the American Southwest, Israel, Morocco and India. Some are made by American Crafts Council jewelry artist-innovators who showed at the Smithsonian and Baltimore Craft Shows. It’s time now for them to find new homes.

Today features all NECKLACES. Earrings and bracelets to come in another post.

I’m willing to entertain offers!

To Buy: Please email me normahawthorne@mac.com with your name, mailing address and item number. I will mark it SOLD, send you a PayPal link to purchase and add $12 for cost of mailing. Please DO NOT SELECT buying goods or services — so we don’t pay commissions. We also accept Venmo and I can send you a Square invoice (+3% fee) if you don’t use PayPal.

#3. Oaxaca Black Clay Bead Mexican Coin Necklace, 20″ $65
SOLD. #4. Chiapas Amber Necklace, 19″ $65
#5. Vintage Morocco Bedouin Amber, Coral and Metal Necklace, 17″ $295
#6. Chiapas Maya Coin Necklace, Ties to adjust length. $25
Vintage Oaxaca Virgin of Soledad Sterling and White Heart Glass Beads, 19″ $385
#7. Vintage 1990 Yemenite Sterling Silver Necklace, 77 grams, Jerusalem, 16″ $495

Most Jewish silversmiths from Yemen moved to Israel in the early 20th century. Their workmanship with filigree is considered unparalleled. This style is called an ornate bib-necklace. All hand-wrought.

SOLD. #8. Vintage Bedouin Amber Choker Tie Necklace, Coins, Gemstones, Morocco. $195
#9. SOLD. Mexico, Sterling Silver Necklace, 19″ $125
#10. Rutilated + Druzy Quartz, gold, sterling silver necklace, handmade chain 16″ $165
SOLD. #11. Chiapas Pompom Necklace, ties to adjust length, $20
#12. New Mexico Heishi hand-cut/inlay turquoise, onyx, spiny oyster necklace, 20″ $185
#13. Inlaid shell, mother of pearl, turquoise + sterling pendant, $65 (does not include chain)
SOLD. #14. Chiapas amber necklace, 20″ $45
#15. African opal, long strand to double wrap. 32″ $65
#16. Vintage Israeli Bedouin necklace, hollow, silver (?) 24″ $145
#17. Native American bolo tie, sterling silver, turquoise, braided leather, 36″ adjustable $85
#18. India, gemstone faceted black onyx necklace, 18″ $65
#19. From London, Selfridges, Jaipur, India designer Amrapali fine silver, 18″ $225
SOLD. #20. Chiapas Maya beaded necklace, ties to adjustable length. $45
#21. Bhuj, Gujarat, India Rabari tribal necklace, adjustable. 26″ $135
#22. Oaxaca black matte clay beaded necklace, 20″ $75
#23. Oaxaca, black hand-polished clay beaded necklace, 21″ $75
#24. Vintage Navajo pearls (sterling silver, handmade), original chain, clasp. 22″ $495
#25. Iolite faceted gemstone necklace with amethyst bezel pendant, 16″ $135
#26. SOLD. Oaxaca, ceramic necklace, adjustable, $20

. . . . and, the Kitchen Sink . . . oops, two beautiful pieces of French copper cookware — jewels in their own right!

#27. Vintage Havard French Copper Flambe Pan, 12″ diameter. $95 plus shipping.
Havard stamp, made in France
#28. BIA Cordon Bleu Oval Casserole, 9 x 14 x 2. Copper and Brass. $95 (Plus shipping)

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Shop Mexico Distraction Sale

Posted on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 | 2 comments

I just discovered Instacart. It’s an App. I create the shopping list. Someone else goes to the store. I stay safe inside. I pay with my credit card. The shopper delivers the goods to my doorstep within hours after ordering. No more bare cupboard. It’s a miracle. And, I’m still safe and healthy, isolated, and needing a distraction.

So, I made some beautiful black clay pottery beaded necklaces this week. The beads are hand-rolled, individually formed in San Bartolo Coyotepec, Oaxaca. The artist, Adelina Pedro Martinez, is from a famous family that works in traditional high-temperature pit firing, fueled by wood. I have four necklaces to sell, listed below.

In addition, I brought with me filigree and amber earrings, a finely embroidered blouse, and an assortment of other lovely pieces made in Oaxaca and Chiapas.

Thankfully, the USPS is operational, so I can package these up and get them to you within a reasonable time from my sequestered place in Southern California. I’ll ship USPS Priority Mail.

How to Buy: Send an email to norma.schafer@icloud.com and tell me the item number, price, your name, mailing address. I will send you an invoice to purchase with a PayPal link. The total cost will be the item price plus $12 USD mailing cost.

#1, Oaxaca Finest Filigree Sterling Silver + Onyx Earrings, 2-1/2″L x 1-1/2″W, $285
#2, Graduated Black Clay Pearls with Hand-Carved Bauble, 22″ long, $145
#2 Detail, carved and incised bauble, sterling silver toggle clasp

A note about the black clay pearls: Each pearl ball is formed by hand. The stringing hole is made by hand while soft with a stick. When leather-hard, they are polished with a stone. Then they are baked in a wood-fired pit oven. Each pearl, therefore, has blemishes and irregularities, which make it an unique object of handmade beauty. If you are looking for perfection, these are not for you!

#3, Black Clay Pearls, 20″ long, sterling silver toggle clasp, $125
SOLD. #4, Coins (copper, base metal, Mexico and India) with Black Clay Pearls, 19″ long, $145
#5 Heart and Black Clay Pearls, 23″ long, w/3 unpolished accent pearls, $135
#6 Chenalho, Chiapas, densely embroidered fine cotton blouse, 23-1/2″L x 23-1/2″W, $85
#6 Bodice detail, precise, dense embroidery, soft cotton cloth
#7 Chiapas amber earrings, 2″L x 1-1/2″W, light as a feather, $85
#8 Chunky Chiapas Rare Green Amber Expansion Bracelet, $75
#9, Finest Quality Chiapas Golden Amber Necklace, 22″ long, $145
#10 Good Quality Chiapas Amber Necklace, 20″ Long, $85
#11 Pendant (top), 2-1/2″x1-1/2″, $72, and SOLD #12 Earrings, 2-1/4″x1-1/4″, $105

#11 and #12 are handcrafted in Santo Domingo Pueblo, New Mexico by an outstanding craftsman who hand-cuts gemstones and inlays them on shell. These include onyx, mother-of-pearl, coral, turquoise and sterling silver. Selling for less than what I paid for them.

#13 Pendant Earrings, inlaid gemstones and shell, 2-1/2″L x 3/4″ W, $125
#14 Handwoven, indigo-dyed wool bag, lined, Chiapas, 10×14″ w/46″ long strap, $55
#15, Handwoven, wild marigold dyed wool bag, lined, Chiapas, 10×14″ w/46″ strap, $55
SOLD. #16 Multi PomPom Cluster, Chiapas, 7-1/2″ long, 1-1/2″ dia. $15
SOLD. #17, Peach PomPom Cluster, 14″ long, 1-1/2″ diameter, $25
SOLD. #18 (L) Magenta and SOLD #19 (R) Red, Pom Pom Cluster, 7-1/2″ Long, 1″ dia. $15 each
SOLD. #20 (L) Lavender Heart and SOLD. #21 (R) Blue Heart, 3×3″ — $10 each
SOLD. #22, finest woven bag, Tenejapa, Chiapas, 9″W x 9-1/2″ L, 44″ strap, $75
SOLD. coin purse w/zipper, Top L. #23, Top R. #24, 3-1/4×5, $15, SOLD. Bottom, #25, 5×8, $25
Zinacantan Drawstring Bags, Handwoven, #26 L, 7-3/4×6-1/4, $30, SOLD. #27 Sm, 4×4, $15
#28 and #29 SOLD. Top: 3-3/4×5-1/4″ w/zipper, $15, #30 Bottom, 3-1/4×4, $10

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Vintage Moroccan Tribal and Berber Jewelry: For Your Collection

Posted on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 | Comments Off on Vintage Moroccan Tribal and Berber Jewelry: For Your Collection

In this post: a stunning collection of Moroccan tribal jewelry for sale.  We traveled the souks of Marrakech and Essaouira to find these treasures — several stunning necklaces and one outstanding filigree Berber bracelet. All are vintage!  We sat on leather poufs at the feet of Moroccan traders who served us glasses of hot, sweet mint tea.

Berberbracelet1b

We haggled Moroccan-style to get the best possible prices and selected the most original, authentic antique pieces from the most reputable merchants who locals know and trust.   We went right to the source and are offering these treasures to you just in time for the holidays.  Please send me an email with your mailing address, if you would like to purchase a piece.  I will send you a PayPal invoice, add mailing costs and the piece will be on its way to you pronto.  Oops, as fast as a sheik on a camel.

1. AMBER PENDANT NECKLACE–SOLD

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Stunning, hand crafted, vibrantly colored four strand antique Berber tribal necklace with amber. Circa 1940s. Pink coral, red coral, orange coral, turquoise, intricately painted wooden trading beads, hand rolled ceramic beads, engraved Berber silver, jet. Traditional yarn tie.

Length: 24 inches. Adjustable. Weight: 200 grams.  $285

2. COIN PENDANT NECKLACE

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Rare, exquisite multi-pendant antique tribal necklace. Four perfect strands of etched-pattern Berber silver, amber, turquoise, red coral, orange coral, hand rolled ceramic and painted wood beads. Antique Berber 2 dirham coin pendant, circa 1890s, and 2 red coral pendants.  Traditional yarn tie. Length: 24 inches, adjustable.  Weight: 195 grams.  $310.

3.  RED CORAL 7–STRAND NECKLACE

photo 3Antique red coral and red Venetian glass beads with Tuareg Berber silver desert medallion. Circa 1940s. Length: 20 inches. Weight: 95 grams.  Old clasp reinforced with invisible clear wire.  $225.

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4.  GREEN BEAD NECKLACE

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A show stopper. Remarkable antique Desert Tribal Necklace “Green Beads.” Circa late 19th century or earlier from the Ida ou Sental Berber tribe, southern Morocco. Six beaded strands with old brass and Berber silver desert medallions and coins. An elaborately engraved antique brass centerpiece medallion with Berber silver coin pendants symbolizing Circle of Life.  Hand painted wood trading beads and jet Venetian glass beads.

Length: 24 inches. Weight: 275 grams. Old hook clasp reinforced with clear wire. $350

5.  BERBER TRIBAL BRACELET, ATLAS MOUNTAINS

Berberbracelet1b

Berberbracelet1

INTRICATE filigree Berber Silver Tribal Bracelet from the mid-Atlas Mountains. Green and yellow enamel, red and green original Venetian glass trading bead inserts, bezel set.  Six Berber silver coins with 5-pointed stars.
Diameter 2 ¼ inches diameter, 1 ½ inches wide. Weight: 100 grams. $280

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