| Original Message: The Secret Is Out |
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On my final full day in Tucson, I went to the Riverpark to see Walt Seifried and Abdul Wais. Abdul was selling these brass pendants—so I asked about them. While they supreficially resemble somewhat similar-looking mask pendants from Africa, they are not African. I asked, "are these from India?" He initially said "no." He said they are 'made in Orissa, and made to resemble African masks,' and that 'they combine Africa with tribal.' (Not precise quotes—but more the gist of the conversation.) I said, "but Orissa IS IN India." So there you have it. These are recent brass pendants from Orissa, India, made with congruencies to African constructions—strung onto necklaces of RECENT Indian glass beads. They are not a combination of Indian glass beads with African elements, and are not "old" nor "older." I have to believe they were made in India, just as we see them. In the past, some Naga ornaments with facial features came to them from Orissa—so there is some history of making (vaguely) similar brass objects. You can see from the attached map that Orissa is the State south of Nagaland, in India. I'll show the piece Abdul gave me when I get photos edited. Thanks Abdul! Jamey All rights reserved by Bead Collector Network and its users |
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