Featured Yemeni bakelite necklace

hi folks

got some new pics of the necklace from the auction wins to show
Aj nailed the id as from yemen looking at others
tests as bakelite type, egg yolk ?
presuming gotta be around 20s 30s
not sure whether to clean it up (a bit)
nice chunky size

gotta use a torch for pics recently

any thoughts appreciated

 

First half of the 20th century. Low grade silver and silver tone beads.
Looks like someone added Egyptian whatchamacallit beads just for fun? Or for added length. You occasionally see bone beads on these necklaces, but these look like glazed ceramic.
The faux amber/phenolic resin beads could be trade beads from Germany.

It has been restrung, with crimp beads added and the hook and figure 8 ring closure replaced. I would close the figure 8 ring, it is traditional to have a proper figure 8, and that way the hook can't slip though the gap.

 

awesome thanks Aj, do you think they would benefit a bit of a clean up, just to make them look more attractive ?

 

Just a very mild clean and don't get the cord wet. This type of Yemeni jewellery is expected to look rustic.

 

the cord is a very thin metal wire, so dont know if that is a sign that it has been restrung at some time

 

Yes it is, which you can also see because crimp beads were used.
It was probably worn daily, so the original cord was worn. Yemeni cords are generally black or blue, sometimes white.