Rashaida-Bedouin Silver Cuff Bracelet

This impressive silver cuff bracelet is from the Rashaida people, a group descended from the Bedouin Arabs who are spread across the Saudi Peninsula and north-eastern Africa, including in Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates. The tribe is well known across the region for its prowess at breeding racing camels.

The bracelet is decorated multiple rows of granulation work, applied silver filigree, and applied impressed silver plaques.

The bracelet has a softness that comes with age and use. There are some age-related minor splits and perforations but these are difficult to see.

The bracelet does have come flexibility and opens slightly to allow it to be more easily worn. The open section is hidden by an attractive vertical strip decorated by applied granulation work and borders of silver plaited motifs.

A similar example is illustrated in Fahmy (2007, p. 133).