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Turkana Jewelry

Sold only in the Holiday 1987 catalogue: “Our customers used to ask why we don’t sell jewelry. “Because we think it’s more fun to discover it while you’re traveling,” was our response. Then we discovered Turkana Jewelry on our own travels in Kenya, and decided it was too special to keep to ourselves. Handmade and lightweight, it comes with a good story: The nomadic Turkana people make it from aluminum cooking pots that they melt down, mold, and hand-etch with hot nails. We’re delighted to be supporting a traditional craft while bringing unique wearable art to Westerners.”

Photos from blog reader Neal Moore. Note the necklace is different from the illustration in the catalogue…

Turkana Earrings from a June 2022 eBay listing.

About The Author

Robyn Adams
Robyn's fascination with Banana Republic began in 1984 when her Alaskan adventurer father began buying the clothing and giving her the catalogs. She loved the clothes and as an artist she was drawn to the illustrations. She went on to study illustration at art college in BR's hometown of San Francisco and worked for years as a background artist for animation. She is now based in Oakland, CA as a graphic designer and illustrator with Secret Fan Base . She's been collecting and archiving at Abandoned Republic since 2011.

1 Comment

  • Melody on June 28, 2023

    I have one of these necklaces and love it.

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