Original Yemeni Jewish Ring from the early XX century, made by the best artisans in North Yemen. This ring shows the classic Bedihi granulation technique. The Bedihi´s were responsible for the best quality granulation work like this ring, and also all kind of berry yemeni beads. The deco is made with antique Yusr, black antique coral from the Red Sea.
Unique yemeni wedding ring. Size 5 Usa, 16mm inner diameter.
SOLD TO SIMONE!! THANKS!!
Gorgeous handmade Yemeni Antique Silver Ring. This ring it´s an old Sanaani piece made by jewish jewellers around the first half of the XX century. The granulation technique is really exceptional on this piece. The size is 7 USA, 14 Europe and it has 17,5 mm diameter.
SOLD. THANK YOU!
Superbe Yemeni Antique Bracelet from the East of Yemen, the region of Hadramout. The geometric style of the deco is classic from the region. On the top and the sides, three prominent buttons, very common on Bedouin pieces.
Is made of brass showing a beautiful wheat colour. This bracelet was collected in the region of Wadi Doan on my last trip to Yemen. The age of the piece I estimate can be more than 60 years, it certainly shows signs of being worn.
The bracelet weighs 295 grms, and it measures: inner diameter 6 cm, width 7 cm.
SOLD.
I´m pleased to offer this antique Yemeni Jewish Bawsani Silver and Genuine Antique Mediterranean Coral.
The jewish bride of Sana´a wore a set of rings, which was part of the nuptial outfit. It was custom for the groom to present a box with a set of rings, that she will wear when receiving guests after childbirth.
The decoration is made using the filigree technique.
The Bawsani is a 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.
Size 7. Weight 13 grms.
SOLD THANKS!!.
Gorgeous necklace made of antique beads of silver and Mediterranean red coral. A total beauty! The silver beads are Antique Yemeni Bedihi beads. The Bedihi family was one of the most famous of Yemeni Jewish jewellers in the last two centuries. Their exquisite granulation work, the berry beads and the dugag cylinder beads show the expertise of these jewellers. The main dugag beads are all hallmarked by the artist. All Yemeni jewels hallmarked are from before 1940.
It´s a lovely design with a lot of historical information and great value, as antique red coral is always raising its price. This necklace can be worn by women or men also, it´s long enough!The beads of coral are originary from the marine fields around Sicily, Antique
Mediterranean Red Coral is untreated and undyed. In the times of the Levante trade, Yemen used to receive red coral as payment for the coffe beans, as well as Maria Theresia Thaler. The culture in Yemen gives a huge value to the Red Coral, it has been used on the traditional jewels for centuries, as part of the marriage necklaces also. It´s a symbol of protection, fertility and against the evil eye. The coral beads on this necklace are around 150- 200 years.
Measures are: length 107 cm, weight 102 grms, beads are 3,4 cm height.
Price 615 euros.
I´m pleased to offer this rare beauty sourced in the Tihama region, West Yemen. Circa 1940´
Excellent gallery wire work and granules handmade over a silver lamina. The decoration is red antique coral, present in the bedouin jewellery as they believe it protects the wearer from bad spirits. The coral is from the Mediterranean sea. Original piece with very good quality of bedouin workmanship.
Weight 123 grms, internal diameter 5,5 cm, width 6,3 cm.
This pair is a classic design in Yemeni Jewish Silversmithing as the flower is one of the most used motif in this community. These flowers used to be part of the antique belts worn by men. They are made of silver, and have red coral beads on the hooks. Beautiful and unique pair.
Weight 6 grms. Height 5,5 cm.
SOLD!
I´m pleased to offer this antique gorgeous necklace from the East Yemen, Hadramout.
This beauty is made with Red and Black coral beads, combined with a variety of antique yemeni silver beads. The silver pieces are from the early XX century.
The Red Coral beads are Mediterranea antique coral from the sea fields around Sicily, they are untreated and undyed. The colour is delicate salmon. This beads of coral have around 100 to 150 years.
The black coral beads are antique and very appreciated in yemeni jewelry. This beads are rare, and they have a special decoration made with silver inlay.
The chain is made of pure silver. Stunning handmade jewel and extremely good workmanship. One of kind piece.
SPECIAL PRICE FOR PRIVATE COLLECTORs: 510 EUROS.
I´m pleased to offer this Antique Bedihi Silver Beads and Amber Necklace from Yemen. The Bedihi family was one of the most famous jewish silversmith from Yemen, in the XIX and early XX century. Their filigree beads, and the way they applied the granulation technique is really exceptional.
This family emigrated to the Holy Land around the beginning of the XX century till the 1949.
This piece is really unique, shows the Bedihi famous weaved filigree beads and six beautiful amber beads.
The pendant is a classic Hebrew design of a flower, made with filigree and granulation detail.
Weight 81 grms. Length 43 with chain.
Price 290 euros.
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!
Bawsani Red coral and Silver filigree necklace. Antique unique piece from the earlies 1900´. Hallmarked. This is an example of the most delicate workmanship from Yemen, always related to jewish jewellers.
Stunning filigree (shabk) detailing and antique red coral from the marine fields around Sicily, in the Mediterranean sea. Weight 70gs. Height of the pendant with dangling beads 7cm.
Price 560 euros.
Stunning antique Jewish Yemeni necklace from the early XX century. Beautiful combination of silver beads, and natural antique Red Coral from the Mediterranean sea. The coral beads are sourced from Yemen and they are the currency received by the coffe traders in Yemen in the times of the Trade on Levante.
The central piece is called Ktub, it´s a talisman and used to carry cabalistic texts to protect the wearer.
Weight: 79 grms. 49 cm.
Price 540 euros.
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 pair of antique jewish silver earrings from Yemen.
Excellent quality of workmanship.
Very nice filigree detail and several dangling beads.
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.
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…)
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
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
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 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
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
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…)
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 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.
