HvWO 090

Omani silver Mask Embroidered with silver disks

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Omani silver Mask Embroidered with silver disks

Omani women´s Burqa (style called Saif Malik) embroidered with silver filament and decorated with silver sequins. The silk strings are not complete.

Bibi Salme is shown in a photo wearing this type of mask in the 1860´s. Masks are worn by girls/women from puberty onwards. Length 33 cm Height 10 cm. See British Museum on-line collection for similar item. Max Freiherr von Oppenheim (ref 6 Band 2 page 327) writes: " Die manner gehen alle bewaffnet, die frauen tragen die schon in Lingah vorkommende schwarze Maske mit Stickereien in Rot, Blau, Gold oder Silber. Beliebt sind blaue, auch rote Manteltucher"

Antique Omani Burqa

Photo below from around 1900: Both Zanzibar girls wearing a Saif Malik Burqa mask.

Omani Burqa

Arab Name: Saif Malik

Period: 1850-1920

Origin: Worn by women in Oman and Zanzibar

References:
  1. Craft heritage of Oman Neil Richardson & Maria Dorr Part two p 492 / p 493 illustration 370 and 371
  2. Saad Al Jadir Arab & Islamic Silver 1981 p 94 / 95
  3. Ida Pfeiffer A woman´s journey around the world
  4. Oman Adorned by Pauline Shelton  Robert Richmond / Apex London 1997 p 196/198;
  5. Travels in Arabia by Wellsted 1837 p 351
  6. Silver jewellery of Oman by Jehan S Rajab 1997 p 53
  7. Vom Mittelmeer zum Persischen Golf Band II by von Oppenheim 1900 Berlin p 319 top p 327
  8. British Museum has similar item in their on-line collection number 2010, 6003.7 Length 32 cm Height 11 cm Late 19th century Woman's burqa (style called a saif malik) embroidered with silver filament and decorated with silver sequins. Fastened by flat braided loop and long round-braided tie of cotton and metallic thread worked over a cotton core, terminating in an ornamental tassel wrapped in silver thread
  9. British Museum on-line collection number Af1930,0205.16 purchased in Zanzibar
  10. F.B. Pearce Zanzibar the island metropolis of Eastern Africa, Barns & Noble New York 1920 On page 225 an Omani lady in Zanzibar wearing a similar mask.
  11. The traditional women's dress of Oman by Julia M. Stehlin-Alzadjali (centre for Omani Dress) Muscat press and publishing house (SAOC) 2010