HvWO 060II

Pair antique Omani Baluchi silver incised bracelets or anklets

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Antique Omani silver bracelet

 

Common pair of antique crescent shaped and incised  bracelets (Kamar). Matching pair. These anklets were filled with pebbles for dancing and were worn by boys and girls. Diameter outside 10 cm Height 2 cm.

 

 

Arab names: Kamar (moon) / Sanka (baluchi name)

Period: 1850-1900

Origin: Oman:  Baluchi people in Muscat and Muttrah (however the lower silver content could also indicate the bracelets came from Baluchistan) The shape has some similarities with the "Tomb" (Gubur) bracelets from Yemen. Recalling the Oriental tomb structures on a graveyard Diameter inside over 6 cm. Height 1,8 cm Weight 100 grams each. See photo slide-show for a lady wearing a similar bracelet, photo taken between 1900 and 1910.

 References:
  1. Oman Adorned by Pauline Shelton  Robert Richmond Miranda Morris/ Apex London 1997 p 112 
  2. Disappearing treasures of Oman 1998 by Avelyn Foster p 78 fig 73
  3. Silver jewellery of Oman by Jehan S Rajab 1997 p 59 
  4. Traditional silver jewelry and handicrafts from Oman 2009 by Jean Greffioz p 91
  5. Oman Faces and places, articles from PDO News magazine 2009 page 137
  6. PDO News No 4/1992 Oman silver Jewelry by Rebecca Brickson page 29
  7. Oman and its Renaissance  by Sir Donald Hawley Stacey International London 1987 page 139 photo with similar item
  8. British Museum has similar bracelets reg. 2009,6023.87-88 Weight: 56 grammes Weight: 53 grammes (2009,6023.88) Diameter: 7.5 cm (average) Pair of cresent-shaped silver bracelets (qamr, literally 'moon') with ridged edges. The hollow bracelets are ornamented with chased decoration including dots, circles, hatched lines and abstract floral motifs. These were worn in pairs by children, both boys and girls, as bracelets and anklets and are particularly associated with the Baluch families of the Mutrah and Muscat regions of northern Oman