Somt Necklace - Oman - Gallery

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Somt Necklace - Oman

Posted by Peter Hoesli on January 19, 2016 at 2:27pm

A very unusual Somt necklace with a great gold plated pattern,l on the center disc, amulets in glass, 5 Maria Theresa Thalers and 1 coin of Holy Roman Emperor Francis II, who was the grandson of Empress Maria Theresa, reigning as Emperor Francis I of Austria. This Thaler circulated in the markets of Arabia during the 19th Century.

Comments

Lynn Ardent January 30, 2016 at 2:07am

Peter your photography gets better and better. This is an extraordinary jewel and I would not be surprised if it is quite early for Omani pieces. Many congratulations!
ingrid Langerak January 30, 2016 at 6:28pm

Dear Peter, a beautiful and very interesting pendant. You know Peter, I wonder how they did gold guild the early pcs. because the guild remains for so long in tact. Like in Ethiopia. I wonder if they did not plate it with a thin layer of gold. Because when I know about gold guilding in the 1980's in Ethiopia the gold came off rather quick almost within 1 or 2 yrs). Because the jewelers just put it into a gold bath. I know in Europe they plated it electronish and is there almost to stay. Any knowledge about it? War gr. Ingrid.
Peter Hoesli January 30, 2016 at 6:34pm

Dear Ingrid; Many thanks for your message. To my knowledge, the Omani pieces are covered with a layer of around 9 carat gold. It is usually a rather thick gold sheet as in this particular piece. This is the reason why the gold on Omani pieces does not wear off. With kind regards. Peter