Description
There is something just so appealing about tribal necklaces that make use of plant seeds, mainly because they highlight the many and varied shapes and colours in which these occur. Having used the large Karen Thai Hilltribe silver (97% pure) segment or seed pod beads seen here in a few previous necklaces with great success, it was a thrill to find these vintage tribal seed beads also from Thailand and to create from them this statement piece which achieves both a tribal and art jewellery feel. I didn’t stint in the use of silver for this necklace, with Karen Thai silver used for everything but the smaller findings which are in sterling silver.
The seeds themselves are from the Yellow Oleander, or Thevetia peruviana, which is native to tropical regions of Central and South America but is now distributed worldwide. Like other oleanders the plant is toxic if consumed, but the pods were used in jewellery by tribal societies in places such as Peru and the West Indies and often carried as charms to ward off the evil eye. It is because of this that they have achieved the nickname “lucky nut”. It was certainly a great pleasure to make this necklace.
Length: 25 inches/63.5cm.
All my necklaces come packed in their very own Thai silk padded gift box for safe-keeping.
See last photo.
