Somt Necklace - Ibri-Oman - Gallery

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Somt Necklace - Ibri-Oman

Posted by Peter Hoesli on February 20, 2015 at 10:24am

This necklace is very rare and very special. It is worn over the headdress. The disc with verses at the front and the barrel shaped pendant on the hairdress, falling down to the back and making a nice tingling sound when walking. Perfect - protection from misfortune and ill health.

Comments

Lynn Ardent February 22, 2015 at 4:32pm

Beautiful! I have never seen this configuration before. Does the Somt have the djinn on the back?
Peter Hoesli February 22, 2015 at 11:07pm

Dear Lynn; Many thanks for your message. This Somt does not feature a djinn or witch (of Bahla) at the back. I have quite a few Somt necklaces with Djinns at the back. There are quite a few different designs of Djinns (I believe about 8 or more). Some people collect them, which is nice. I found usually quite interesting Somt necklaces in Nizwa. I have to say, however, that I bought most of my Omani jewelry in Muttreh and Muscat. The dealers in Nizwa are not that easy and the ones (two brothers) in Bahla are very special. I was sitting for two hours on the floor in dust and heat, sorting out the bucket of silver items, which he turned over on the floor mat. I found some exciting pieces and he always watched me, sometimes helping me to find a matching piece (even though he had glasses like milk bottles and had to take the pieces very close to the eyes to see, but he was able to find matching pairs.... At the end he was putting my selection like in a celebration on his scale and when he told me how much he wanted for it, I quite frankly lost my patience and left... Hence, no business - I was driving back to Nizwa all sweaty and dirty ... and very angry... Oh well, it was worth the experience though. Regards. Peter
Lynn Ardent February 23, 2015 at 4:58am

What a story! I too would be angry after all that. But, you wouldn't get the best pieces without persistence, and a little suffering. :) I have a Somt I have to clean and then post, where someone was very concerned about the djinn... she has multiple spikes in her body and three raised and soldered bolts through her head!