Zanzibar-Oman Ear Ornaments with Gilded ‘Venetian Ducat’ Tokens

This rare pair of silver ear ornaments is from either Sur in Oman or Zanzibar.

Each comprises a large silver hoop with a large, cage-like, open-work, elongate silver bead decorated with a mid-section of applied filigree scrolls. Beneath this each has three silver bells (with traces of gilding) and a coin-like double-sided token, with traces of gilding (gold plating).

These tokens were locally made but actually based on the gold ducat or zecchino of the Venetian Republic. The ducats were minted in Venice for more than 500 years – from 1284 until the conquest of Venice by Napoleon’s troops in 1797.

The tokens here have the same array on both sides as Venetian ducats, but have become more stylised in translation. The gilding is meant to emulate the gold of the ducats. The coins and copied tokens were believed to have talismanic properties.

The earrings are in excellent condition and with a fine patina.