Very rare magnificent Omani antique silver item. Top quality silver-work! The chain made from braided (stitched like a sock) silver. With several silver appliqués including 2 mini Koran boxes. The finials / hooks in the shape of the evil eye and with arabesque (Nizwa?) design. Top quality item, but without the earrings. However could also very well have been used to keep a mask in position. Weight 200 grams. 89 cm long.
On April 30 1848 the famous female traveller Ida Pfeiffer visited Muscat and mentioned in her book: " The Muscati women wear a sort of mask in blue fabric held by iron hooks or wire , which does not touch their faces" The "iron" she mentions is obviously silver
