Enquiry about object: 6207
Siwa Silver Cuff Bracelet (Suarr Nguren)
Berber People, Siwa Oasis, Egypt mid-20th century
internal diameter: 6.5cm (with give), length: 7.4cm, weight: 232g
Provenance
UK art market
This fine, high-grade silver cylinder-shaped cuff bracelet is from the Berber people of Egypt’s Siwa Oasis and worn as far as the coastal Marsa-Matruh area. It is engraved with sun-burst motifs. It is also riveted with three large silver studs and has two attached silver sidebars that also are riveted with silver studs.
Van Roode (2017, 139), Nadler (2005, p. 42) and Hoek (2004, p. 36) illustrate similar examples.
Heavenly symbols are important in traditional Islamic iconography and Van Roode (2017, 138) comments that the sun-burst motif is a common motif among the Berber peoples of North Africa, and that it often is misread as a flower motif.
The example here is in excellent condition with a good patina and contours softened by age and wear. The bracelet has small Egyptian assay marks.
The bracelet is wearable and slightly expandable.
References
Hoek, C., et al, Ethnic Jewellery: From Africa, Asia and Pacific Islands, Pepin Press, 2004.
Nadler, D. & S., Silver: From Fetish to Fashion, PDN Publishing, 2005.
van Roode, S., Desert Silver: Understanding Traditional Jewellery from the Middle East and North Africa, BLKVLD, 2017.
