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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Any Jewelry, post: 3196694, member: 2844&quot;]Is it ever!!!<img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie49" alt=":happy:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /><img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie49" alt=":happy:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /><img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie49" alt=":happy:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /><img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie49" alt=":happy:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /><img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie49" alt=":happy:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p>This is the kind of jewellery my Madurese ancestors wore.<img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie49" alt=":happy:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p>Which means it is Indonesian, probably made on Java, possibly on Madura or even Bali. Those three island territories make up the general (East) Javanese influenced cultural area.</p><p><br /></p><p>The &#039;wood&#039; is akar bahar, coral from the Moluccas in Eastern Indonesia.</p><p>Most akar bahar is black with the occasional brownish streak. The rarer types are creamy white or gold.</p><p>Akar bahar is said to have medicinal and magical properties. Many people wear it to alleviate rheumatism, but also as a protection against black magic.</p><p>The shape is a Naga, which in Indonesia is a mythical cross between a sea snake/sea serpent and a dragon. The Naga is also highly protective, and an important symbol of spirituality and identity.</p><p><br /></p><p>It is a very traditional bangle, originally reserved for the aristocracy. They are still being made, but I don&#039;t know how much longer for. I expect akar bahar to be added to the protected list in the foreseeable future.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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