Posted 5 years ago
Parrotbeak
(39 items)
Unmarked and untested, but I believe this bangle to be coin silver. It's hollow and has got four decorative panels: two with leaves and two with flowers. I suspect it's from one of the hill tribes in Southeast Asia and from the first half of the 20th Century, but correct me if I'm mistaken.
I may have left this bangle at thrift store for nearly a year before buying it. The two primary factors being that 1.) it's fairly recent that I've been comfortable enough taking guesses on non-Western jewelry and 2.) I honestly dislike that mucky purple stuff on the inner half of the bangle. I don't know what it is, but it doesn't do the look any good. If anyone knows, please let me know.
That was my conclusion to at first - or rather I thought the mucky purple was plastic! But it isn't. Nor is it, in my opinion, metallic. There's about three spots that are paint-like; smooth, slight direction, slightly bulbous, notable angle with the rest of the surface, and small holes that look like former air pockets. The overall pattern of the stuff also isn't how I'd expect wear to take shape. I've been wondering if it could be some sort of coat to ensure the bangle is air tight, because the stuff has a connecting presence where the metal below visibly doesn't fully touch, but if so, it'd have been applied curiously sloppily.
I've been trying for the past days to take a representative photo, but so far no such luck. I'll keep trying, but if at all I succeed I doubt it'll be soon.
I've added a photo of the inside of the bangle. It's not as informative as I'd like (the larger mark to the left doesn't look raised while it is and it looks like there's a gap there while there isn't), but some of the small holes are visible as well as that weird "Mickey Mouse ear" to the right.
I also think Far East, the motif of the 4 seasons, with straight garland bands that represent them. No other indication for me to be more specific. Silver content is more complicated, weight, surface smoothness and shine may be indicators. Thanks for posting.