posted 09-04-2005 05:35 PM            

I bought this in Bamako, Mali two weeks ago. It was made recently in the small shop where I bought it. The smiths work over an old fashioned open forge. Either they are not required to mark their wares, or they ignore the rule. They sell the silver by weight no matter how intricate the artistry.

I am wondering if there is any way to tell the silver content and if anyone knows the significance of the designs.

Thanks,
Tom

posted 09-05-2005 03:44 PM            

Thanks for the interesting info. I thought you might like to see the shop in which the craftsman works. There is a small forge (not shown in the photo) where the metal is heated. When I bought the bracelet, he polished it up to a high shine.

Mali is a Muslim country but one in which indigenous African religion has blended with Islam. It thrived in the middle ages as a trading empire selling products from Subsaharan Africa (ebony, ivory, etc.) to Arab traders crossing the desert. I suspect the symbols come from either the African or Arab cultures.

Regards,
Tom

posted 09-05-2005 05:37 PM            

Mali is also known for gold work, which is supposed to be stamped, although this requirement too goes by the board sometimes. I suspect marking carries with it a tax, which like the rest of us, buyer and seller wish to avoid.

I would like to get a sense of the silver content, but only as a matter of curiosity. I don't want to damage the piece.

posted 01-12-2006 01:49 PM            

Next time, make the effort to bargain and use the opportunity to talk with the smith about how they come up with their designs or do their work or how their family is doing, etc. Show an interest in the person and their life. If you feel bad about the final price you pay, then buy a couple of extra things to give to friends to increase the total amount of money you are putting in the seller's pocket.

[This message has been edited by Kimo (edited 01-12-2006).]

posted 01-12-2006 02:15 PM            

I have also spent a lot of time in developing countries. The etiquite you describe is applicable to the Arab world and some other locales but not elsewhere. In the Old City of Jerusalem you would be disrespectful and foolish to pay the asking price. After haggling, the seller will hand over the merchandise at a fair price and usually with a big smile.

In lots of other places (Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe), people are struggling to survive. They do not see Americans bickering with them over pennies as respectful or flattering. There are plenty of other ways of showing respect. A Belize craftsman offered to sell me a hand carved walking stick for 18 instead of 20 dollars. I told him the beauty of his work was worth the original price. I have taken photos in yarn and cloth shops, telling the seller I wanted to show my wife just who made the beautiful item I bought for her. In most cases people are proud to have their picture taken. After I pruchased some weaving in Kosovo the store owner gave me an embroidered napkin as a gift for my wife and as a thank you for what she saw as American liberation of her people. I had not argued for a lower price on her merchandise, but of course I would never have offended her by declining her gift or offering to pay for it.

I could have saved 400 Central African franks on the bracelet pictured above (about $1.). Instead I asked permission of the maker to photograph him at his wheel, a picture I shared with the forum - which I think honors him and his work far more than haggling over price. I also asked about traditional African designs, etc.

Sorry if this sounds like a sermon, it is just that I have seen so much insensivity from the haves towards the have nots (which I am sure you have as well), that this topic is a hot button issue with me. The key is, as you have suggested, to know and respect the local customs.

Regards,

Tom

[This message has been edited by tmockait (edited 01-12-2006).]

[This message has been edited by tmockait (edited 01-12-2006).]

posted 01-13-2006 01:08 AM            

First of all, Tom, bless you for not haggleing over price. Excellent reasons also.

Secondly, the price you quoted is about 2.5 times the going rate for bulk (boulion) pure silver. pretty reasonable for handmade goods.

And lastly, talk to a friend or two in the Chemistry department. They will have some really good ideas on how to do nondestructive or minamelly destructive testing.

posted 01-14-2006 10:30 AM            

quote:

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If the chemistry department doesn't have a non destructive testing device, you may wish to try the engineering department, in the metals area. There is a device that looks like a hand held scanner that can "read" an item and provide information on the metals and the percentages. It takes about 5 minues. It only reads the surface of the metal, so if something is plated, the scanner will read the plating.

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