SALE- Group of Yemeni Bawsani Filigree Silver Beads.

Beautiful group of Yemeni Bawsani Beads, one of the best jewellers in Yemen, due to the exquisite pieces of filigree they produced. It´s a delicatessen in the beads world.

Antique Yemeni Jewish Silver and Red Coral Ring.

Spectacular antique Yemeni Wedding Ring, made in pure silver and Mediterranean antique coral.

This ring was made by jewish jewellers in Yemen, before the emigration to the Holy Land in 1945_1950.

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Understanding Middle Eastern Jewellery- The Hand of Fatima.

The hamsa hand (Arabic) or hamesh hand (Hebrew) is an old and still popular amulet for magical protection from the envious or evil eye. The words hamsa and hamesh mean “five” and refer to the digits on the hand. The alternative Islamic name for this charm is the Hand of Fatima, in reference to the daughter of Mohammed, Fatima Zahra. For the Jewish community the name for it is the Hand of Miriam, in reference to the sister of Moses and Aaron. In the jewish communities is more likely to be found in the Sephardic Jewry more than the Ashkenazi Jewelry. (more…)

Why Bedouin Jewellery has such an important cultural value?

Collecting Middle Eastern jewelery  has become an act of cultural preservation. There´s some urgency in acquiring, collecting and recording the uses and history of Middle Eastern silver jewellery.

One of the pleasures of Middle East living used to be shopping for old jewelry—especially old Bedouin jewelry, rich in intricate silverwork, coral, carnelian and pretty stones picked up from the hills and sands during the Bedouin’s movements.

Nowadays, the handmade jewellery that once graced the persons of desert nomads is disappearing. The Bedouins themselves are exchanging it for modern pieces jewellery. The jewellers in the cities are breaking the jewels and remodeling it for modern pieces. Artisans who once made the jewelry are retiring or changing the way they work. And most of what remains is already in private collections and museums. (more…)

The Majestic Art Of Silversmithing in Yemen.

In Yemen, the art of silversmithing reach a remarkable level, comparing with other crafts, and it can be identified by it´s own technicques and icons. It´s one of the most recognized and famous arts from the country.
The variety of bracelets, rings , necklaces, head ornaments, and the demand of the population for this items, shows the importance given to this craft. Either in rural areas or in major cities, the jewellery was the most important part of the dowries and personal possesions of both Jewish and Muslim women. (more…)

The ethnic use of Silver jewellery in Yemen.

The use of Jewellery has always been very extended in the yemeni society, and it´s an interesting fact, that jews and muslims wore different pieces of jewellery.
There was a big difference in the use of traditional jewels, from one area of the country to other areas, what was worn and when was clearly defined in each place.
The ambar beads were mostly used by Sanaani muslim women, but in rural areas was also worn by jewish girls.
Rural areas presented less differences than big cities like Sana´a. The city life for jews was more interior and had less contact with the muslim population.
Most of the jewelers were jewish themselves and they used to work lots of hours in minimum details to generate that beauties made of fine filigree.

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The Yemeni Traditional Jewellery and it´s Protective Symbolism.

Originally in Yemen, amulets were used because of their power to protect the wearer from evil and adversity. The use of amulets comes from remote times and it has been developed over the years.The talismans and the amulets are very present in all yemeni jewellery.

The use of talismans is associated to different symbols and magical forces. They help to hunt the bad spirits and give force to the person who wears it. The use has been transmitted generation after generation, by oral tradition. There was one talisman and a specific occasion for its use, as for example the use for babies, children, women or eldery people in different moments of life.
Jewish babies and small children used to wear hoods, full of amuletic pieces such as mother pearl, bells, chains and also coral beads.
When girls were going to get married, they used to wear the hoodie (gargush) with an amulet of triangle shape and showing red decoration, meant to protect her fertility. (more…)

Maria Theresia Thaler Silver and Coral Yemen Pendant

Spectacular Maria Theresia coin with red coral detailing from Yemen. It´s name has the origin in Maria Theresia, Arch-duchess of Austria, that governed from the 1740 to the 1780.
The first coin was minted in 1741 and there were many versions of it. But it was not until, at the insistence of Maria Theresia, this coin  was minted with the highest standard of design, and with a strict regulation of the amount of silver that should contain,  28 grms of silver with 85% of purity.

 Its high and reliable content of silver, as well as their aesthetic, played a very important role in their world-wide fame. The jewels that contain the Thaler, used to give status to the wearer, by the image of the Empress as by its brightness. It was used to say that its brightness attracts the devil and maintains it far from the person who wears it.                         

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The Maria Theresa Thaler and the Traditional Yemen Silver Jewellry.

There is a long and interesting history behind the Yemeni Silver Jewellry and its origins. As in Yemen there were only a few mines of silver, the question is: From where comes the silver of the Yemeni Silver Jewelry? The majority of the silver in the jewelry in the Middle East comes from the coins of silver.

 The most important one: The Maria Theresia Thaler or Levante Thaler. Its name has its origin in Maria Theresia, Queen of Bohemia and Hungary, Arch-duchess of Austria, that governed from the 1740 to the 1780.

The first coin was minted in 1741 and there were many versions of it. But it was not until, at the insistence of Maria Theresia, this  coin was minted with the highest standard of design, and with a strict regulation of the amount of silver that should contain.

In 1753, the empress and the Dutch of Bavaria sign a coinage convention, defining the weight and the content of silver for all the Maria Theresia coins struck in Austria and Bavaria. That was 28 grams, with a 85% of silver purity and measuring 42 mm of diameter. After the death of the Empress in 1780, his son Joseph II allowed the Austrian mint to continue striking the currency with the frozen date of 1780. (more…)

The Beauty of Yemeni Arabic Jewellery

Bawsani Jewish Silver and Gold Pendant.

Yemeni jewelry has one of the most spectacular, rich and diverse style of all the Middle East countries. Traditionally, the jewelry was made for special events as weddings representing the bridal gift, given to the bride by the groom´s family. Unique designs were given to the woman for that important event.

The bridal gift represented a financial investment and also a protective symbol.

The silver jewelry in Yemen is related to the old jewish communities, established in this land since the ancient times of King Salomon and responsible for the most exceptional craftsmenship, creating the most beautiful jewels. (more…)

Yemen Jewelry the Beauty of the Lazem Yemeni Necklace and Use of Silver and Coral Beads

Rare Black Coral Beads

Yemeni necklace design shows a history of using beads known as a ‘Lazem’ design. The beads used would be made from silver, amber, red coral or black coral. The usage of beads would be for a number of reasons. Amber beads give off a sweet smell when rubbed together and also the amber used is only found in Yemen. Silver beads are often made by soldering together smaller silver pieces and it has been claimed this design is made to resemble the mulberry fruit that grows throughout Yemen. Red and black coral from the Mediterranean is used as a luxury rare item. (more…)

The History of Yemeni Silver Jewelry Design

Yemen Necklace Design

Yemen silver jewelry stands out from jewelry found in other parts of the world because of its sheer richness in history, uniqueness and authenticity. Its history stretches from the time of the Queen of Sheba through to the modern history of the Jewish communities and the creation of the state of Israel.

The Queen of Sheba, written about in the Bible, ruled over southern Arabia in the periods between 3000 and 1000bc. Her power base was in the Marib area of modern day Yemen and many archaeological sites have been uncovered that refer to her. In amongst these sites have been found ancient bracelets, necklaces and amulets whose styles can still be found in contemporary Yemen jewelry design. The Queen of Sheba had a relationship with King Solomon to whom she would give gifts from Yemen of gold, incense and jewelry featuring amber and silver beads. (more…)

Yemeni Necklaces and the Beauty of the Silver Labbeh Necklace From Yemen

Yemeni Bedouin Necklace

As Yemen began to prosper thanks to the huge increase in coffee trade, merchants began to look for new ways to protect and store their wealth. They turned to the famous jewelers and silvermiths of Yemen to create breathtaking and valuable silver necklaces that often cost as much as one year’ salary.

One such design is the known as the Labbeh. The labbeh design was so popular that similar versions can be found in other parts of the Middle East as well as North and East Africa. It is without doubt, however, the labbeh originating from Yemen are the most beautiful.
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Yemeni and Arabic Jewelry the Uniqueness of Yemeni Necklaces

Unique Necklace

Most arabic necklaces are designed with a special object known by Arabs as a ‘Hirz’ and by Jews as a ‘Ktab’. The role the Hirz plays in the design of the jewelry is to be a lucky charm that holds religious quotations and prayers. It is thought that this would keep the wearer safe and offer spiritual protection. Hirzes are usually cylindrical in shape but you can also find them in rectangular form. The most common feature of a Hirz is the central gemstone, often a Yemeni agate. (more…)

Yemeni Jewelry Design and the History of the Original Jewish Designers

Detailed inscriptions from the maker

The design of Yemen jewelry shares many similarities with that of the rest of the Middle East, North Africa and South East Asia. Indeed, due to mass migration between people of those countries, the influences of jewelry design also went with them. The most significant story within the history of Yemen jewelry design is the influence and movement of Jewish communities.

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