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.
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Typically referred to as a "bird" necklace. Very nice!
I used to remember everything but brain doesn't hold it now. i remember who purchases things and where in the world it is from and then the real details i have to look up.. terrible. I remember these are usually made by some one special as what I read any way.. they are not production pieces.
Yes, my understanding is that these were worn by the elite women in Sana'a. They are often gilded. I saw some in the National Museum when I was there. As with most of the Yemeni silver, probably made by a Jewish silver smith.
Ah, yes - now we have the whole piece. And excellent it is. Very fine - and interesting, too. Good comments by both of you, Linda and Edith!!
Lovely piece, sometimes called a bird necklace, theoretically made by one or two silversmiths a long time ago and very difficult to find right now.
This is called a labbeh tyur (because of the dove like birds) these were designed by Yihye Al Abyadh
and his son Meysha, two leading Jewish smiths in Sa'na from 1930's to 40's They were inspired by turkish and Indian designs. This necklace was deemed unseemly for Jewish woman to wear because of some Muslim motifs) it was worn by Muslim woman of means. This jeweler is still mentioned in the school books as the Imam's jeweler. Pure gold examples were worn by the royal family.
Great info Linda, thanks!!!
Great additional comment, Linda.
Once again being a fusspot, I suggest you mean SANA'A??
A beautiful necklace. I have one of these and have Patti and Sarah to thank for introducing me to it.
Ester Muchawsky-Schnapper, curator at the Israel museum in Jerusalem used this type of necklace as a case study example in a seminar. The proceedings are available at http://www.jstor.org/stable/41223816.