HvWO 073

Antique Omani silver Buckle for a boy (Ibsim)
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Antique Omani silver Buckle

 

Common silver buckle. Before a boy is old enough to wear a khanjar (10-12 years old), he wears a silver buckle.

Antique Omani silver buckle

Arab name: Ibsim / Ibzim

Period: 1900-1950

Origin: worn by boys all over Oman

References:
  1. Ruth Hawley. Omani silver (first edition) page 3.
  2. The craft heritage of Oman Volume 2 p. 448 item 078
  3. Oman Adorned by Pauline Shelton Robert Richmond / Apex London 1997 page 112 
  4. Disappearing treasures of Oman 1998 by Avelyn Foster pages 89, 91
  5. Silver jewellery of Oman by Jehan S Rajab 1997 page 24
  6. Traditional silver jewelry and handicrafts from Oman 2009 by Jean Greffioz page 145
  7. British Museum similar item: 2009,6023.192; Length: 11.5 centimetres (including small buckle); Width: 4.7 centimetres; Weight: 93 grammes; Silver belt-buckle (ibzim) for boys up to the age of 10 or 12. Shaped as a rectangle with two pointed ends. Chased decoration on the front with symmetrical patterns of curling vine-leaves enclosed within pentagon-shapes, and a vertical plaque with zigzag decoration in the centre. The back has silver fixings and a smaller buckle (perhaps missing a pin). To be worn attached to a leather belt. Northern Oman.