Anklets - Oman - Gallery - Adorned Histories

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Anklets - Oman

Posted by Peter Hoesli on June 15, 2016 at 6:53pm

This pair of anklets is extremely rare. Such types are completely absent from the souks in Oman for decades already.This pair is special. It belonged to the collection of Mr William Randolph Hearst (April 29, 1863 – August 14, 1951), who was an American newspaper publisher, building the nation's largest newspaper chain! He added them as antiques in 1940 to his collection! A corresponding mention is engraved on the insides of both anklets.

Comments

Peter Hoesli June 15, 2016 at 7:20pm

Engraving inside each anklet.
ingrid Langerak June 15, 2016 at 10:38pm

My goodness Peter, This is a fantastic set.Beautiful, to perfection., high silver, solid and very elegant decor with the contrasting bands. I love the Oman pieces, you have so many stunning pieces of Oman, but this one tops it all. And than to have such a history to go with it. Must have belonged to royalty once upon a time. STunning,!!! Admiration Ingrid.
Alaa eddine SAGID June 16, 2016 at 1:11pm

Such wonderful pieces with the pedigree!

The silver work is absolutely stunning and very reminescent of the silverware from Gujarat and Kutch in india!!

Do you think these were import pieces from india or that there was already back then indian smiths working in oman?

I very much doubt that Arab smiths from oman would make such finery!
Betty June 16, 2016 at 1:27pm

These anklets really knock you off your feet! They definitely have an Indian feel...

I suppose that Oman and India have long-standing relations. As far as I know the Portugese controlled Oman (or parts of it) as early as the 16th century and used it as landing stage of their Indian spice trade. And only little later there was the infamous British East India company which also forged trade relations with Oman and probably facilitated not only the exchange of goods but also the migration of people.
Peter Hoesli June 16, 2016 at 1:57pm

Dear All; Many thanks for your comments. It is really simple. During the 19th Century, there were a lot of expatriates from Baluchistan working in Oman. Nowadays, the descendants of these immigrant workers are part of the Omani population, many of whom with the name "Balushi", describing their origin. The ladies, accompanying their husbands on the assignment, brought their jewelry along with them. Among others also the anklets, which were tradition in Baluchistan. These jewelry items were later on incorporated into the jewelry of Omani ladies. Having said that, the anklets above were definitely manufactured for the upper class of Oman or the Royal Court. During the middle of the 19th Century, when Zanzibar became the capital of Oman, the jewelry tradition was as well brought there. I have recently posted a pair of Omani anklets, which are huge and weigh 1,750 grams together. These very heavy anklets were typical for Zanzibar, while being manufactured in Oman...