:: All prices listed are wholesale to shops :: Retail prices to individuals are twice those listed ::
If you are looking for something that used to live on this page, but do not see it anymore,
it has either sold or has been shuffled to the other category pages.
Click on the smaller thumbnail-sized images to view full-sized pictures of the jewelry.
The larger images are always posted at actual size, and should print out accurately.
We have brought back our new version of the old Kikuyu (African) tribeswoman shirt design,
with a new image on back: an Ethiopian woman's lip plate design!
These are printed on Organic US-grown cotton brown shirts. $15/each.
Just a limited few are available in women's M, men's S, M, and L.
Ask me to give you some details about the water-based ink used on these. Images posted at life size.
Earrings with thin wire gauge sized silver hooks (18ga/19ga), set with pendulum-shaped stones,
such as white and black banded onyx and green and grey moss agate. $20/pair.
The fourth banded onyx have SOLD, as have the carnelian on the bottom center, and one of the moss agates.
Click on this image to check out a view of their back sides.
We may be able to set these with other silver hooks instead
that are a bit thicker in gauge size (±14ga) for an extra $5 per pair.
Our Protong earweights have been modified to make them a little less top heavy,
as well as have a thinner wearing surface; they are now around 2ga up at the top.
Shown first in gold plated over bronze (special order),
silver ($115/pair, .78ounces/each aka 22grams/each), then
bronze ($65/pair, .635ounces/each aka 18grams/each).
Please visit our new silver and bronze page for more details.
Three pairs of tiny silver Thai earrings with flat spirals.
The middle pair is vermeil. $10/pair.
Thai silver hammered spiral earrings. $15/pair.
:: Body Jewelry from Natural Materials ::
Burnt bamboo plugs showing patterns on the longer wearing surfaces as well!!!
As you can see in these examples, we've matched up the wearing surface designs to be extensions of those on the faces. These could be two unrelated patterns instead if you'd prefer it that way.
The fee for burning bamboo is per surface, so the front faces of a pair would count as one, the front parts of the wearing surfaces would count as two, the back parts of the wearing surfaces would count as three, and if the back faces were burnt as well, those would be the fourth surfaces.
We also do burnt designs on the wearing surface of bamboo septum plugs, as shown above.
Naturally, we can do longer septum plugs and rods in bamboo without burnt designs as well.
Please also note that there is a surcharge for lengths that are 1" or longer.
Our new bamboo rhizome (root) hoops, now with the largest part at the top, tapering down on both sides to the smallest sections near the gap at the bottom.
Currently available in <2ga, ≤0ga, between 0ga and 00ga, 00ga ($25/pair),
around 1/2" ($30/pair), and >5/8" ($35/pair) at the largest sections.
They are designed to have many different sized wearing surface possibilities.
Let us know if you prefer this version, more like a CBR overall,
or our other root hoop design, more like a claw in overall shape.
Both versions are available; the others are featured over on our horn and bone page.
Hollow horn saddle shaped plugs with geometric honeycomb designs
inspired by tattoo patterns from the Marquesas Islands.
Thus, we're calling them Marquesas design plugs.
We are currently making 9/16" through 1-1/2", plus some >2". Sample prices range from:
5/8" ($20/pair), 3/4" ($25/pair), 1" ($30/pair), to 1-1/2" ($40/pair).
We have made pairs of these in bamboo with burnt designs, and have been pretty psyched at how they turned out. After getting some samples made up last year, we decided to go ahead and make this one of our new regular designs in water buffalo horn. Enjoy!
Hollow horn plugs with faceted amber inlays. Prices coming soon.
3/4" (pressed Baltic amber), or ≤1" (regular Baltic amber).
Our current selection of various sizes of boar's tusks.
The very large top pair are $20/each, the next five large pieces are $10/each,
and the smallest four pieces shown vertically on the bottom are $5/each.
The 'pair' of whitish medium tusks surrounding the four little ones is ON HOLD.
Please click to see this image posted at full size.
Pairs of keyhole cut-out style shapes:
yellow stone flat c-shapes ($30/pair-ON HOLD), with a minimum of 1/2" to insert, and
Naga-style shell ($32/pair), minimum of between 1/2" and 9/16" to insert.
Both are thin in cross-section (they do not have much depth).
Naga style shell keyhole earrings with incised decorations.
Made in Nepal. Front and back views shown. $50/pair.
Huge chakte kok wooden spirals measure between 1-1/8" and 1-3/16". $120/pair.
This wood was chosen because the spirals can still be quite large yet relatively lightweight.
Hollow bone stash boxes with scrimshaw and colored crushed stone elephant, frog, beetle, or koi patterns.
These happen to be cylinders around ≤1-3/8" in diameter, though if you are considering wearing them as plugs, please note that they are very long in length, they are made of several elements that have been glued together, and that the lids are loose and will come off unless something such as beeswax is used to make them have more of a grip.
We have two of each design, and would prefer to sell them as pairs instead of as singles. $30/pair.
Fronts are shown first, followed by a back side, side view, and an opened box.
:: Ethnic and tribal jewelry ::
Tuareg tribe traditional women's tsabit earrings, shown in order of weight:
the top left pairs are lightest and the bottom right pairs are heaviest.
The left-hand image shows eight pairs of small to medium tsabit:
.42oz (11.8grams)/each, up to .6oz (17grams)/each. $90/pair.
((...plus the bottom pair at .94oz (26.6grams)/each,
which actually belongs to the next price category...))
The right-hand image has nine pairs of medium to large tsabit:
.83oz (23.7grams)/each, up to 2.36oz (66.9grams)/each. $125/pair.
Please click these thumbnail images to view versions posted at life size.
More affordable than what we've been able to offer them for in the past... How exciting!
Old Tuareg earrings with engraving and likely ebony inlay. $80/pair.
New Fulani tribe (Peul) twisted brass earrings from Mali. $40/pair.
These are newly made versions of the much larger traditional style
gold earrings called kwottenai kanye (kwotene kange).
They normally wrap the tops with red yarn.
<13/16" (20mm) double-sided South Chinese tribal plugs with two 'spool' style flares.
Note indented (but smooth) seam on the wearing surface at the solder joint. $75/pair.
Gold tone pressure fit 16ga nose pin from India with a three colored inlay. $12.
Please click on this image to view one blown up to 4X normal size in order to show detail.
Indian nostril screws and pressure fit pin style nostril jewelry. $10/each.
Click on this image to view one that is blown up by 4X in order to show detail.
The top row shows very thin (21ga) nostril screws with faceted prong set
colored glass inlays in clear, dark pink (almost red), green, and blue.
The bottom row shows around 16ga silver nostril pins with faceted clear glass, and
around 16ga gold tone pins with ruby colored glass inlays (with a tiny white dot in the centers).
These were described as "ancient Roman silver earrings" when we acquired them.
While I cannot guarantee their authenticity, they are neat old looking specimens.
The metal is still malleable, so they can be carefully opened or closed.
There is a newer break as shown, and part of the piece is included.
The bottoms remind me of grapes. Views of both sides are shown. $30/pair.
Mayan clay ear plugs from El Salvador, almost all presenting a 'foot style' back flare.
Most are hollow, while some are solid; most have round front flares, while some have flower front flares.
This collection reminds me of my friend telling me how a small Mexican town we were passing through calls their local finds of clay ear plugs 'chocolates'!
$150/set of 31 pieces - that's less than $5/each!
Antique heavy silver, coral, and red bead earrings from Baluchistan.
This region extends through present-day SW Pakistan, SE Iran, and South Afghanistan.
Beautiful granulation and wire work! $225/pair.
Rajastan (India) colorful old earrings with blue, green, and red glass beads. $125/pair.
Pakistani old earrings representing opium poppy buds. $75/pair.
Five pairs of old silver Indian coiled hoops. $25-40/pair.
Huge old Afghani silver coiled hoop earrings. $70/pair.
Though attributed to many different areas, such as Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and India,
I believe the origins of these to be the Swat Valley, Pakistan. $200/pair.
These traditional big hoop earrings are unusual in that they do not normally have the gold (?) wash.
Three pairs of huge old Yemeni hoop earrings. $150/pair.
Two styles of crooked Miao tribe earrings.
Newly made out of white metal (no silver). Only $30/pair.
Two pairs of Miao South China base metal hoops
with lots of coiled wire. $40/pair.
Miao tribal base metal dragon earrings and Dong style knobbies with round balls. $40/pair.
Four different styles of Miao tribe knobby earrings.
Newly made out of white metal (no silver). Only $40/pair.
Giant South Chinese tribal knobby earrings.
Newly made out of white metal (no silver). Only $40-50/pair.
This exact pair has sold, but we do have more pairs available.
Miao tribe China base metal flowered hoops.
They are flat on the backs. $50/pair.
South Chinese Miao tribe newly made dragon earrings. $50/pair.
Three pairs of Miao tribe (Chinese Hmong) huge base metal hoop earrings. $50/pair.
South Chinese Miao tribe newly made round hoop earrings. $50/pair.
Old South Chinese Dong or Miao tribe earrings.
$80 (round) or $100/pair (with drops-my favorite type!).
Old Miao tribe smaller hoop earrings. $75/pair.
This pair of giant hilltribe hook earrings would be worn tipped forward, with the triangular flares worn to the front and the long tails hooking into the wearer's headdress or bun. I have also seen a photo of a woman wearing a pair with the bottoms in front of her collarbones, tied together with a strip of cloth. Though this particular pair were collected in Vietnam, they are worn all over the Golden Triangle region.
Click on this thumbnail to view a full-sized image. They are engraved on one side. $100/pair.
Nice quality Miao tribe big double dragon hoop earrings. $130/pair.
Antique (ancient?) double spiral cross-over earrings from Thailand. $150/pair.
Gejia or Miao tribe giant bent arrow earrings from South China.
$175/pair, including a black painted metal stand.
Please click on the two thumbnails with the wood backgrounds to show larger versions.
Ancient Burmese faceted glass ear plugs.
All are singles chosen for their great coloration.
The faces are all faceted, as are the wearing surfaces.
The large one is glass imitating a double flared amber plug.
I may sell them all as one collection, and I may keep some.
$40 (most) to $70/each. They are singles only; we do not have pairs.
The fifth piece over (light green) has SOLD.
Please note that these are intended for collecting purposes only,
as they have not been tested, and we do not know the contents of the glass.
Solomon Islands intricate shell nelo septum piece.
All shell beads held on by natural fiber string. $300.
Views of both sides are shown. Wow!!!
Remind me to include a photocopy from an old book I have showing men wearing their nelo.
Papua New Guinea cowrie shell septum pieces from Wogomush (river and tribe).
One of the cowrie shells slides off to act as a sort of 'primitive' o-ring!
The background image shows the man who actually made these pieces!!! $40-50/each.
Please click on this image to view on at full size.
Papua New Guinea wooden septum spikes. Only $20/each.
I don't usually see these made out of wood... Very unusual!
The third and the eighth pieces down have SOLD.
West Sepik PNG bone septum tusks were $25-30/each. SOLD.
Sizes in the middles ranged from around 5ga up to 2ga.
Australian aborigine kangaroo bone septum piece.
Super rare! It is flat in cross-section. $250. SOLD
Sweet little Thai omega ≥4ga septum piece. $40.
This is in reality an older tribal earring and could obviously still be worn as a single.
Nice and tight in diameter, while hefty in gauge size.
:: Non-piercing jewelry ::
Simple brass neck ring and coiled bracelet set. $125/both. Rarely seen for sale!
There are a few subtle incisions in the brass of the necklace near the gap.
These are made by the women of the Kayan tribe (often cited as the Karen or Padaung tribe, and not to be confused with the entirely different Kayan tribe of Borneo), famous for their traditional practice of wearing graduated coils of brass necklaces, which stretch their shoulders downwards and give them the appearance of having very long necks. They also wear coiled brass around their arms and legs.
Although originally from Burma, they are now primarily living as refugees in North Thailand.
Simple Indian very small anklets (or large bracelets) with bells.
Average of 7-3/4" overall length. We have singles or pairs. $10/each.
Delicate Indian anklets made out of a white metal.
Only $10/pair. Great if you're on a budget!!!
Please click this cropped image to view one at full length.
Wooden bracelets from Bali with painted spirals,
in three different designs. Only $5/each.
Om mani padme ohm mantra cuff bracelets. These are all $8/each.
The three clustered together have coral or coral-colored glass beads.
Although almost identical, they are posted to show how the three different metals
can take different positions in the lettering of the mantra.
Base metal cuff bracelets showing Garuda biting a snake. $12/each.
JUST UPDATED!!! Kuchi tribal long cuffs from Afghanistan/Pakistan. $15/each.
Most are for slender wrists only. Similar ones are grouped together; most are singles.
These images are only thumbnails and are not to scale;
click each to see a larger version (which will also not be life-sized).
Please refer to these as images #A through #H:
#A (pairs; top left pair has sold, bottom left pair is on hold), and
#B (ornate cuffs and colorful clasps),
#C (top row are angular)/#D (colorful glass inlays),
#E (plain cuffs), and #F (shorter cuffs and bracelets).
#G shows thinner bracelets with lots of bells and colorful inlays ($10/each), and
#H shows two pieces of upper arm bracelets with bells as well ($25/each-left one on hold).
A huge five-tiered unengraved collar style necklace from South China. $165.
It has been made from hollow base metals, and is surprisingly lightweight.
Please click these smaller images to view larger versions that show more detail.
Torque style necklace. Only $60.
Please click this thumbnail to view an image posted at life size.
Although sold to me as Tharu tribe, Nepal (and they were bought via Nepal),
I have seen torques in this form attributed to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
This collar is made out of a stiff metal, and thus the gap does not open easily.
It has wrapped string near the top, which shows the age and wear of this old piece.
Old and ancient collectable beads. Each comes in a glass-topped Riker mount display box.
Each set of beads is presented first as a whole, then as a close-up to show detail.
Please click on each thumbnail below to view a larger image. These photos are not to scale.
Provenance will be made available to the buyer. These are on consignment; please call for details.
Early Chinese or Dutch: African trade beads, circa 1800. These rustic "7-Up" bottle green beads include a big, round bead which is approximately 27mm across while the other beads are fairly uniform at approximately 15mm. The strand is approximately 33" long and has 55 beads in all. $150 + 2 1/2 pounds shipping.
Early Cornelian d'Aleppos: Venetian, circa 1800 African trade beads. Three round beads and 32 cylindrical beads, ranging from approximately 17mm - 22mm with white centers. On an approximately 27" waxed string. $150 + 2 1/2 pounds shipping.
Dark Cobalt Pressed Beads: European (Czech?) African trade, early 20th century. Faceted, so dark blue that they appear black, rounded beads on a waxed string. Beads are fairly uniform at 17mm. The strand is approximately 27" and there are 50 beads on it. $115 + 2 1/2 pounds shipping.
Cobalt Faceted and Tapered Beads: European (Czech?) African trade beads. Uniform in texture, color and sizing. Nice blue beads more "refined" than most. The strand is approximately 29" in length and it has 18 beads on it measuring approximately 38mm each. $135 + 2 1/2 pounds shipping.
Feather Beads: Late 19th - early 20th Century African trade beads. These beads are cylindrical and on a nylon filament, the strand being approximately 26" in length. There are 33 beads in all, varying from approximately 14mm - 26mm. $90 + 2 pounds shipping.
Old Ethiopian Cobalt Beads: Little "O's" with big holes. Each bead varies in hues of dark blues, diameter and thickness. The length of the strand, which is on cotton thread, is approximately 70", the smallest bead being approximately 10mm, and the largest 15mm. $70 + 3 pounds shipping.
African batiked long bone tapers.
$5/each. Great for hairsticks!
Old red glass African bracelets with engraved X and line decorations.
Rare! $20/each.
Beaded African bracelet mounted on leather ($20-SOLD) and necklace ($45).
I do not know the exact origins of either, but my best guess would be Masai for the bracelet, and South African (Ndebele? Zulu?) for the necklace. The necklace does not have a clasp nor opening, and is made for someone with a smaller head (perhaps for a child?).
Click on this image to view one posted at real size.
New Guinea woven natural fiber string and shell necklaces. $50/each.
The left-hand necklace does not come undone at the top and requires a smaller noggin'.
This image is only a thumbnail and is not to scale;
click it to see a larger version (which will also not be full-sized).
:: Non-jewelry goodies ::
A worn embroidered cloth and tin (?) headdress from the Yao or Miao tribes in South China.
I have seen another for sale described as being Miao from Huangping County of Guizhou Province.
The metal moves on springs and features bird and flower designs. $75.
Please click on this thumbnail to view a larger image.
An Akha tribal headdress from North Thailand,
featuring seed beads, a wicker frame, and colorful pom-poms. Only $65.
Brazilian Indian old feather headdress with a woven natural fiber headband.
Tribe and age are unknown. There is insect damage to some of the feathers. $90.
These images are not posted at life size. Please click these thumbnails to view larger images.
A dozen butterflies mounted in
an unusual triangular wooden frame. $50.
Click through to view a larger version of this image.
Blue Morpho butterfly in a brown wood and glass frame. $50.
Please click to view a version posted at life size.
We have extra small brocade cloth bags we sometimes send jewelry in; they have Chinese characters, dragonflies, or butterflies. We are primarily interested in selling our turquoise and cream colored ones as shown. 2 for $1. Bulk inquiries are welcome.
White Tara Tantric Buddhist hand-painted artwork, mounted in gold and blue cloth.
Note some scuffing on the left-hand side of the painting. $30.
Please click this thumbnail to view a cropped image posted at life size.
A black shirt from Thailand featuring a garuda design. Size: Large.
The design is repeated on the back, only larger. $15. Only this one!
Click this image to view a larger one (though not to scale).
Banjara tribal old gypsy square cloth bag ($40)
consisting of four pockets with attached yarn and cowrie shells.
It is shown covering a box (not included).
Shipibo (Brazilian tribe) ritual cloth with ayahuasca-influenced patterns.
It is around a foot square, and has a grey-ish light purple hue. $30.
Clicking on this image will take you to a larger version, though still not life size.
Raccoon ($25), beaver ($40), and coyote ($40) skulls.
We've been out of whole polished cow horns for a long time; they are now back in stock! $10/each.
Great for displays that also contain horn body jewelry, or beeswax 'em up for drinking horns!
Click on this image to view a larger one (however, it is not posted at life size).
Unique New Guinea penis gourd (aka phallocrypt, koteka, or holim), painted red and black. $65. SOLD
Please click the thumbnail-sized image to view a scan done at real size.
We have four other gourds that are not yet shown that have woven zig-zag designs in natural pigments;
several have attached beads and shells. Prices on these range from $30-$40/each.
Similar examples of this type are shown over on our other goodies page.
New Guinea coconut masks, made by women and often hung in their cooking areas. $65-70/each.
They all have a lot of fiber 'hair' as the central one shows, but most was tied back for the photos.
They have woven fiber noses that are in an open loop form so that septum jewelry can be inserted.
These images are only thumbnails and are not to scale;
click it to see a larger version (which will also not be full-sized).
Jewelry boxes: a rectangular horn and bone striped box with a brass clasp, round wooden boxes with either a carved and painted sun or Dayak designs, an amazing rectangular juniperwood burl box (SOLD, but we can get similar ones, and even round ones)...
About to be posted...
Some goodies we're sitting on, but either haven't found the time to scan,
describe, program in the html, or upload yet:
Images of the stone double flared plugs mentioned but not yet shown...
An embossed boxy leather carrying bag or purse, likely from the Tuareg tribe.
Red with black designs cloth wall-hanging and sarong with Celtic designs. One is a huge 82-1/2" by 97" tapestry or wall hanging with four Celtic dragons in a swirling swastika-like pattern. The other is smaller, and could be used as a sarong or tablecloth. It is just red with a more simple knotwork design just around the edges. $25-$30/each.
Coming soon: Brazilian indigenous peoples' traditional ear jewelry.
Congratulations for making it to the bottom of this very long page!!! Are you still reading this? You rock!
So watch this space! If something is of particular interest, please let us know. We'll finish that scan first.
The following are not yet shown on this website nor any photocopies, scans, or printouts,
and possibly never to be scanned-please call or visit this page to view the current catalog pages!
Unique horn plugs including: opal inlay plugs that also have bone dust inlays, really amazing huge silver cap and bone dust inlay designs in very large plugs...
Pre-made hardwood plugs are sporadically available. Please inquire about our current selection.
Pre-made bamboo plugs - normal prices, but with no wait. We usually have some that are solid on one side (cut on the node), black bamboo, and the normal hollow variety. Please ask!
Various used books come and go: cultural anthropology, medical, piercing related, etc.
:: All prices listed are wholesale to shops :: Retail prices to individuals are twice those listed ::
