Gallery

A digital archive showcasing the extensive collection of jewellery and adornment images shared on the former Ethnic Jewels Ning site over the years. These images have significantly enriched discussions on cultural adornment and its global dispersion.

Egyptian Suar

Posted by Lynn Ardent on November 1, 2015 at 5:56pm

A massive silver bracelet with floral and moon engraving. Two cast silver knobs decorate either side of the bracelet, impressed with the maker's mark. On the back is another floral motif. This bracelet is signed by Muhammad Mikawi / El Mekkawi. Mikawi had a shop in Cairo catering to the needs of the women of the oases of the western desert (such as Siwa) and Bedouin tribes. This suar was made to be part of a dowry in the early 1940s. 800 silver and 285 grams.

Comments

Lynn Ardent November 1, 2015 at 6:03pm

Back view.
ingrid Langerak November 1, 2015 at 6:07pm

Beautiful, just beautiful
Tesori Orientali November 1, 2015 at 6:32pm

Lynn …great piece !! Congrats!!!!! I have a cuff from same silversmith…Mustafa helped me identifying the maker…also from Egypt

Kisses
Mustafa J. Salem November 1, 2015 at 10:22pm

Beautiful Cuff. It is a very great piece with nice decoration. As well known El Mackawi has tremendous number of silver work which sometimes is found in Libya as well. This cuff looks quite big and is also heavy. Flowers and crescent are common motifs in this type of cuff.

Congratulations for posting this fancy piece.
Peter Hoesli November 2, 2015 at 12:44am

Dear Lynn; a lovely piece. As you mentioned, these pieces were worn among others in the Siwa Oasis, which is very close to the Libyan border. A great example of this very well known silver smith's work. Congratulations. Peter
Lynn Ardent November 2, 2015 at 4:13am

Dear Peter, Mustafa, Angelo, and Ingrid. Thank you for your kind comments. Does anyone know the story behind this silversmith? I love seeing more examples of the same smith's work. Angelo, your bracelet is lovely and so well worn it was clearly treasured for a long time.
Joost Daalder November 2, 2015 at 6:02am

Good sleuthing again, Lynn! This type of bracelet was among the earliest pieces of ethnic jewellery we bought, still in the late 70s, as a number of them then came out. We loved (as we still do) the shape as well as the good work and silver. At that time women in the West would readily wear them, too, but that tendency has diminished. Fine pieces!
Thelma November 3, 2015 at 12:42pm

Hi Lynn, There is a chapter in Sand and Silver by Margaret Mary Vale about the silversmiths who provided silver jewellery for the Siwans. Although it doesn't mention Mekawi, it does describe in detail two local smiths: 'Gab Gab' (Senoussi Dadoum Aani) who worked in Siwa until the after World War Two and his successor Mohammed Abusessa. I suppose it's possible that families who wanted something special would go the Alexandria or Cairo to commission well known smiths such as Mekawi.
Joost Daalder November 3, 2015 at 12:45pm

A very informative post, Thelma. One learns so much here ...
Thelma November 6, 2015 at 12:39pm

Lynn, try The Enchanted Jewellery of Egypt by Azza Fahmy. She knew the Makkawi family. Apparently they originated in Saudi Arabia ... and had a smelting business (makes sense). She makes the point that silversmiths in Cairo and Alexandria were famous for making certain types of jewellery, eg each would be known for an individual style of bracelets. So the families in the oases would commission not only special pieces but specific pieces from these jewellers and would rely on their local smiths for other pieces.