After A World of Rings and A World of Earrings comes A World of Bracelets'the third book in the series devoted to the ethnic jewellery from all over the world in the Ghysels collection. This outstanding array is formed of approximately 1200 bracelets'most being seen for the first time and each one lovingly chosen with excellent taste. Formally speaking, many ethnic bracelets have a place in two worlds'the prehistoric world, the traditions of which have been carried into the 20th century by many ethnic groups, and that of contemporary artistic jewellery, inspired, whether admittedly or not, by the works of far-off gold and silver smiths. Decorated with henna, tattooed or less frequently scarified, limbs have always been subjected to transformations'ephemeral or lasting. A female statuette discovered during the excavations of Mohenjo-Daro and photographs of Karen or Masai women show that arms and legs have always vanished beneath a mass of bracelets'from the beginning of time to the present day. Just like rings and earrings, bracelets and ankle ornaments mark the transitions in a person's life'small bangles that tinkle at the slightest movement protect children from evil spirits in the Middle East. Any worthwhile Jewish bride in Sana'a must wear several pairs of fine filigree bracelets and Bengali brides receive a shell bracelet to guarantee numerous offspring. A flat ivory bracelet rewards the courageous Dinka elephant hunter of Sudan and when it is time to set off on the final journey, men and women are adorned a last time with bracelets, such as those in jade seen in Chinese burials.
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