Crafts of the Past
Antique Yemen Silver Plaques Amulet Modern Amber Resin Beads (back view)
This is a traditionally inspired design using antique Yemen silver plaques and amulet combined with modern amber resin beads. The valuable antique Yemen silver plaques and amulet lay in my collection as orphan pieces separated for decades from their original piece of jewelry. The old silver was made by Jewish Yemeni silversmiths in the early decades of the 1900s, before they left Yemen for their new home in the new nation of Israel.
I knew that in order to make these valuable cultural relics at home in a new necklace that they would need to be combined with either strands of small thin tubular silver beads, amber beads or coral beads. Yemen style agate, bone or horn beads might be added, perhaps even lapis, carnelian or obsidian but beyond those choices, the piece would lose its Middle Eastern ethnicity. I chose to do what the modern Yemenis often do: find modern amber substitutes in various shades. The small red separator beads are carnelian and there are two Yemen metal separator beads on the outside string. The chain is antiqued silver plate of a later date than the old silver.
The irregular barrel shaped amber resin beads on the outside strand are from North Africa, made from synthesized resin with amber pigmentation added. This method has been used in bead-making since at least the early 1900s when it was invented in France and introduced into North Africa. There are literally tons of such amber beads in old ethnic jewelry throughout North Africa and Yemen.
This piece is made in the tradition of the lazem or kirdan necklace worn by the Yemeni bride as part of her wedding dowry. The amulet represented the blessedness of her new situation in life. It was part of her religious tradition of sacramentalizing marriage in the ornaments worn by the bride, as well as furnishing her with items of value. These items of value she would be able to use to trade for necessities in the market place.
The silver has acquired the patina that comes from being worn for a long time under fairly harsh conditions. This characteristic of old jewelry is known as human sweat patina and I find it very appealing. I am sure that when you wear this necklace, you will cause ooooooh!s and ahhhhhhhh!s all around you. I have worn similar items from my own jewelry chest and that has been my experience. I think you will enjoy wearing a cultural relic as much as I do.
Measurements:
Necklace = 25.5 inches (63.75 cm)long
Central Plaque and amulet = 3.5 inches (8.75 cm)high x 2 inches (5 cm) wide
Antique Yemen Silver Plaques Amulet Modern Amber Resin Beads (back view)
This is a traditionally inspired design using antique Yemen silver plaques and amulet combined with modern amber resin beads. The valuable antique Yemen silver plaques and amulet lay in my collection as orphan pieces separated for decades from their original piece of jewelry. The old silver was made by Jewish Yemeni silversmiths in the early decades of the 1900s, before they left Yemen for their new home in the new nation of Israel.
I knew that in order to make these valuable cultural relics at home in a new necklace that they would need to be combined with either strands of small thin tubular silver beads, amber beads or coral beads. Yemen style agate, bone or horn beads might be added, perhaps even lapis, carnelian or obsidian but beyond those choices, the piece would lose its Middle Eastern ethnicity. I chose to do what the modern Yemenis often do: find modern amber substitutes in various shades. The small red separator beads are carnelian and there are two Yemen metal separator beads on the outside string. The chain is antiqued silver plate of a later date than the old silver.
The irregular barrel shaped amber resin beads on the outside strand are from North Africa, made from synthesized resin with amber pigmentation added. This method has been used in bead-making since at least the early 1900s when it was invented in France and introduced into North Africa. There are literally tons of such amber beads in old ethnic jewelry throughout North Africa and Yemen.
This piece is made in the tradition of the lazem or kirdan necklace worn by the Yemeni bride as part of her wedding dowry. The amulet represented the blessedness of her new situation in life. It was part of her religious tradition of sacramentalizing marriage in the ornaments worn by the bride, as well as furnishing her with items of value. These items of value she would be able to use to trade for necessities in the market place.
The silver has acquired the patina that comes from being worn for a long time under fairly harsh conditions. This characteristic of old jewelry is known as human sweat patina and I find it very appealing. I am sure that when you wear this necklace, you will cause ooooooh!s and ahhhhhhhh!s all around you. I have worn similar items from my own jewelry chest and that has been my experience. I think you will enjoy wearing a cultural relic as much as I do.
Measurements:
Necklace = 25.5 inches (63.75 cm)long
Central Plaque and amulet = 3.5 inches (8.75 cm)high x 2 inches (5 cm) wide