For Sale- Antique Silver Mashtata Yemen and Agate Necklace.

 Antique traditional Mashtata Silver Necklace from Yemen.

Beautiful central pendant with natural Yemeni agate, and two talismanic kutub with dangling hamzas.  Excellent quality of workmanship for this early XX century piece.

Price 45o euros.  

Antique Mashtata Lazem Silver Jewish Necklace from Yemen.

Lazem or mashtata Bawsani coral and silver necklace. Early XX century. Hallmarked.

See similar necklace: The Yemenites. Two thousand years of Jewish culture. page 134.  Muchawsky-Schnapper. The Israel Museum, Jerusalem.

 SOLD.

Antique Bawsani Silver and Red Coral Ring from Yemen

 I´m pleased to offer this antique Yemeni Jewish Bawsani Silver ring.

 The decoration is made using the filigree technique and genuine  antique red   coral from the Mediterranean Sea.

This family of silversmiths used to live in Yemen in the XIX century and in the early XX century. Their work is very appreciated in the Yemeni Silver Jewelry.

                                                      SOLD

For sale -Rare Antique Jewish Filigree Silver Yemeni Earrings.

I´m pleased to offer this pair of antique jewish silver earrings from Yemen.

Excellent quality of workmanship.

Very nice filigree detail and several dangling beads.
 

     SOLD

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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For Sale- Antique Arabic Labbeh Chain Necklace from Yemen.

                                                                      

The result is a glittering surface, that moves permanently with the head movements, and aims to chase bad spirits. This necklace was part of the dowry that the woman receives in the ocassion of marriage.   Unique traditional  jewel from the beginning of XX century.

                                                    Weight:  202 grms. Height 11 cm.

Price 250 euros.  

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…)

For Sale- Fine Pair of Yemeni Jewish Silver Earrings.

Fine Pair of Antique Sanaani Jewish Earrings.

I´m pleased to offer this pair of antique Jewish silver earrings from Yemen. Finely decorated using the chasing technique. The design remembers the classic Sanaani windows.  Some little pieces of red coral are added to this special and rare design.

SOLD

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.                         

              SOLD

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…)

Antique Jewish Yemeni Silver and Amber Ring

Antique Jewish Silver and Amber Ring Yemen

Here´s a beautiful  antique Yemeni Jewish Silver and Amber Ring.

The decoration is classic Bedihi granulation work, very appreciated in Yemen Silver Jewels.

The bead of amber is antique yemeni amber, with a dark  brown colour with some creamy clouds.

This ring was likely to be made before the 1940´, and it´s in excellent condition.

 Unique ethnic ring to add to your collection.

       SOLD

For Sale- Bedouin Antique Silver Armlet from the Tihama, Yemen.

Bedouin Antique Silver Armlet from the Tihama Yemen.

I´m pleased to offer this spectacular antique silver bracelet or armlet, made in the West region of Yemen, the Tihama.

Delicate handmade work showing an excellent quality of workmanship. The design remembers a snake, beautifully decorated with engraved detail.You can change the measure and wear it on your upper arm, or as a bracelet. It looks great in both ways.

Unique piece of bedouin silver  jewellery from the early XX century.
 -  Weight 59 grms.
 -  Internal diameter 7 cm.
 -   Pure Silver.

SOLD

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…)

Vintage Tribal Yemeni Khol Container from Al Mahwit

Vintage  khol bottle, hancrafted in Yemen by the tribes of the region of Al Mahwit.

Women have been using khol for hundreds of years, as part of her make up and also for its health properties. This rare bottle was handcrafted using twisted wire  in a nice tribal design. Nice  ethnic objet to add to your collection and also to keep your khol!

I´ll add some free khol in the package so you can get into this arabic tradition.

* Weight 37 grms.
* Height 10 cm.

Price 62 euros.

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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