HvWO 036II

Antique Omani large HALKA / HALQA used to fasten plaits with young girls

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Omani silver hair ornament named Halka

 

Very rare high quality large Omani silver  HALKA / HALQA used to fasten plaits with young girls.  This is a very old large Halka with fine detailed floral designs and four silver bosses. Modern ones are much smaller and crudely made. Typically worn by young girls. Weight 120 grams. The length without the bells and chains is 11,5 cm.

 

Antique Omani silver Halka

 

Arab names: HALKA / HALQA 

Period: 1850-1900

Origin: Oman interior Zanzibar

References:
  1. Oman Adorned by Pauline Shelton Robert Richmond / Apex London 1997 p 66 bottom
  2. Oman catalogue Tentoonstelling Nieuwe Kerk 2009 page 132
  3. Disappearing treasures of Oman 1998 by Avelyn Foster p 66 fig 57
  4. Silver the traditional Art of Oman 2000 (new edition) Ruth Hawley p 34
  5. Silver jewellery of Oman by Jehan S Rajab 1997 p 24
  6. Traditional silver jewelry and handicrafts from Oman 2009 by Jean Greffioz page 18-19
  7. Arab & Islamic Silver by Saad Al-Jadir 1981  Stacey International page 94
  8. British Museum on-line collection number 2009,6023.158 Weight 144 grams Comment: This is a relatively modern example
  9. Islamic Art in Oman page 342 poor examples
  10. Oman Faces and Places p 118 (modern example of this type)
  11. Oman and its Renaissance  by Sir Donald Hawley Stacey International London 1987 page 94 photo left shows a girl wearing a very similar Halka.
  12. Oman Faces and places, articles from PDO News magazine 2009. Contains photo of a modern Halka being made p141