Antique pair of Hadrami silver earrings, sourced from the East of Yemen, the Hadramaout region. The design shows the classic geometric patterns from the area. Gorgeous bedouin work and beautiful one of a kind pair of silver earrings.
Length 6 cm, weight 11 grms.
Price 56 euros.
Traditional lazem necklace from Yemen, beautiful old bedouin metal piece from North Yemen. This style of jewel was part of the dowry given to the bride before her marriage. In this case is made of mixed metals. As they are heavy pieces, not all the families afforded to buy it in silver, so there are examples of traditonal pieces in metal.
Excellent quality of workmanship.
Weight 240 grm, height 13 cm, total length without the chain 23 cm.
Price 180 euros.
Beautiful pair of vintage Yemeni Silver Bedouin Earrings. Nice deco made with granulation and red natural coral. Lovely patina.
Weight 13 grs. Length 4,5 cm.
Price 55 euros.
I have recently returned from meetings with my colleagues in the Tiznit region of Southern Morocco. This area is known for its beauty and this is also the same for its jewellery.
Here’s some exclusive pieces i brought back and which can be purchased by contacting me directly.
Berber Hamzas
The hamsa hand (Arabic) or hamesh hand (Hebrew) is an old amulet for magical protection from the envious or evil eye, used in both jewish and islamic populations.
Berber Tiznit Silver Coral and Enamel Bracelet
It´s a beautiful silver bracelet handmade in the jewish berber style. The decoration is very refined, made with coral and enamel. The coral is always present in the berber jewellery, as they believe it protects the wearer from bad spirits.
I´m pleased to offer this antique bedouin silver and black coral necklace from Yemen. All the beads are from the early XX century. It shows an excellent quality of workmanship.
Beautiful talismanic piece used as symbol of fertility.
All black coral beads are antique and decorated with silver inlay. This Red Sea black coral is antique, rare to find and very appreciated in Yemeni Jewellery.
Beautiful piece for collectors.
Weight 75 grms, Length 41cm.
SOLD THANKS!
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…)
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…)
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
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.
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 130 euros.
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…)
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…)
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…)
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.
(more…)
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…)
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.
