JEWELLERY OF ETHIOPIA Exhibition and catalogue by: Aleksandra Prodanović-Bojović, MAA curator
		November 10th, 2010 -

The specific nature of the cultures of the Horn of Africa: the intricate geographical and ethnic contrasts and dynamic history marked by the flowering of an ancient civilisation and Christian kingdom, alongside the enduring commercial and cultural encounters between intercontinental peoples, have grasped the attention of Europeans over an extensive period of time.

The different cultural influences that concentrated in North-East Africa brought about the emergence of specific art traditions that are reflected in the decorative form – jewellery. The Jewellery of Ethiopia exhibition which will open at the MAA by the end of October, will exhibit original objects of adornment of the different ethnic groups in Ethiopia. Besides traditional materials that have been used for centuries in these parts, such as: silver, gold, bronze, ivory and amber, visitors will also have the opportunity to discover an array of forms and types of jewellery – necklaces, bracelets, earrings, crosses, amulets belonging to the decorative heritage of the Ethiopian peoples. Alongside artefacts from Ethiopia, the exhibition will be complemented with documentary photographs from the 1960ies.

The speech held at the opening of the exhibition Jewelry of Ethiopia.