Summary

Nineteenth century black beaded collar from Istanbul. It was brought to Australia by Lili Sigalas when she migrated to Australia in 1922 to marry Letho Sigalas. The collar belonged to Lili's grandmother and was a treasured family heirloom.

Lili (Eleni) Sigalas (nee Vrahamis), born in 1904, was the daughter of Callirrhoe Dressler and Stavros Vrahamis, both from the Greek Island of Sikinos, who also lived for some time in Istanbul. In 1920 Lili was engaged to a cousin Letho (Eleutherios) Sigalas, and in 1922 migrated to Melbourne on the 'Largs Bay' with her father-in-law to be, James (Iakovos) Sigalas, and her elder married sister Alex. Letho and Lili were married at the Greek Orthodox Church on Victoria Parade, on 18 July 1923, just eight days before Lili's 19th birthday. They had two daughters - Dan'e in 1924 and Magarita Babette in 1931.

Physical Description

Wide black beaded collar. Small cylindrical beads form geometric shapes and leaf forms. There are larger, spherical beads throughout the collar. There is a long, narrow section which is thought to have been separated from lower centre area of collar. A collection of loose beads, some attached to cotton thread, were acquired with the collar, and incorporated back into it.

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