Enquiry about object: 5851
Omani Silver Bead & Trade Glass Bead Necklace
Either Batinah or Sur, Oman 19th-early 20th century
circumference: approx. 50cm, weight: 106g
Provenance
private collection, London.
This string of simple and wearable hollow, silver beads with two glass beads is from Oman. The silver beads are of elongated, spherical shape with a ring of silver granulation work around the hole of each.
The central bead is the largest and has a red bead and a yellow bead on either side.
The terminating beads are long and conical and are impressed with geometric motifs.
Seiwert (2009, p. 115) illustrates a broadly similar necklace but attributes it to the Harar people of Ethiopia. But this likely reflects influence from trade.
A similar necklace is illustrated in Kanawati et al (2003, p. 150) and Hawley (2000, p. 56).
The beads have a splendid patina and obvious age. They are on their original cotton fabric strip threading.
References
Hawley, R., Silver: The Traditional Art of Oman, Stacey International, 2000.
Kanawati, N., et al, Nizwa and Sohar 30 Years Ago: A Glimpse of the Past, 2003.
Seiwert, W.D., Jewellery from the Orient: Treasures from the Bir Collection, Arnoldsche Art Publishers, 2009.
