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Yemenite globe & African amber w/ silver Bicone beads handmade Tuareg necklace.
$ 139.91
- Description
- Size Guide
Description
Yemenite globe & African amber w/ silver Bicone beads handmade Tuareg necklace.Shipped with USPS First Class.
Yemenite Yemeni Yemen silver globe pendant with African amber and old Bicone beads handmade Berber Moroccan Sahara tuareg necklace.
Beautiful ethnic Moroccan Berber handmade necklace with old vintage Yemeni bead pendant and old Bicone Moroccan silver beads strung with a variety of African amber beads.
Yemenite globe Pendant measures approximately 36mm and is made of old Yemeni silver.
Multiple Bicone vintage Moroccan silver beads measuring approximately 16mm.
2 large old Moroccan silver Bicone beads measuring approximately 22mm.
The African amber Resin old Moroccan beads come in a variety of sizes and colors and range from 26mm to 28mm.
There are 2 old silver Bicone end cone beads at the end of the necklace measuring 2.5” each.
This beautiful Necklace measures 22” in length and has a large Bali style hook clasp closure.
This is a Beautiful Yemen silver bead with the characteristic "Dot Design", comprised of many tiny silver dots that have been hand applied to each bead, often with a little curly setting (reminiscent of a flower).
This bead was made by Jewish silver smiths living in Yemen before World War II. The bead has a lovely patina and is just gorgeous.
This particular bead measures between 36 mm and 38 mm from end to end, and average about 34 mm in diameter. The weigh is between 13 grams and 18 grams. Note that no bead is exactly perfect - it is after all, thin silver and probably about 100 years old, and has minor dents but I don't think this takes away from its enormous beauty.
Yemeni Silver Beads
Centuries-Old Craftsmanship
At the southern tip of the Arabian Desert, Yemen juts into the Gulf of Aden, which links the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. For thousands of years, Yemen served as a crossroads of land and sea routes between Africa, Asia, and Europe, for the movement of goods and peoples and the diffusion of technology, art, religion, and ideas. This cross-cultural contact left its mark on Yemeni jewelry, which incorporates a great variety of motifs with varied meanings. Historically, the finest work was crafted by Jewish silversmiths, largely for Muslim clients, not only in Yemen but throughout the Middle East. They used precious materials from distant sources and metalworking techniques that go back to ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.
Besides enhancing a woman’s beauty, traditional Yemeni jewelry reflects her cultural environment. It shows what ethnic or religious group she belongs to, whether her husband is poor or prosperous, which town or village she is from or whether she is a nomadic Bedouin. The uses of traditional jewelry afford insights into the patterns of traditional life. Personal ornaments play a role in the age-old rituals of securing a spouse, celebrating a marriage, welcoming a birth, protecting against evil, and praising God.
Marriage contracts were customarily sealed with bridewealth, mainly silver jewelry. Provided by the groom, it becomes the wife’s property, ensuring her economic security. From time to time she may add to it with a gift from her husband, by making household economies, or by using the proceeds from the sale of a rug she has woven to acquire more jewelry. In time of need, a woman may sell some of her jewelry.
The most spectacular array of jewelry was traditionally worn by Jewish brides of Sana’a, the capital of Yemen. Swathed in gold brocade, the young bride, who may not have even reached puberty, was so weighted with jewelry she could scarcely move. Rings encircled her fingers, bracelets encased her arms, and strands of huge gilt silver beads, called dugag, enveloped her body from neck to waist, which was enclosed in a silver belt hung with bells; ropes of pearls and gold pendants hung from her temples; an elaborate bib necklace, called a labbeh,wreathed her chin; and crowning all was a high tiara framed in fresh flowers and layered with shimmering white pearls, precious red coral, black beads, and gold filigree dangles. Called tishluk lu’lu’, this towering headdress gave its name to the entire ensemble. Other festive occasions when a woman displayed pieces from her jewelry collection included the henna painting ceremony before the wedding and the Sabbath when she first received visitors after childbirth.
Some of my beads may be Copal resin ("young amber" from Zanzibar) that is formed into beads, some may be a blend of natural and manmade resins, and some may be made from phenolic plastic. Strands of African amber often include a variety of beads with different compositions and ages.
The selection of African "amber" beads includes loose beads and strands of collector beads. It is suggested that very little African "amber" is true Baltic amber. Most is probably made in Europe and carved in Africa. Some may be Copal resin ("young amber" from Zanzibar) that is formed into beads, some may be a blend of natural and manmade resins, and some may be made from phenolic plastic. Strands of African amber often include a variety of beads with different compositions and ages. I make no guarantees about these beads as I pick strands that I consider attractive based on price values and experience. I believe that some of the beads are much older than others.