2023.31.1

Collection type

Object

Description

Decorative necklace or head ornament with coloured glass gems and coin amulets.

Long description

Modern necklace comprising three rectangular plaques inlaid with red and blue glass and two triangular endpieces decorated in filigree. Suspended from the plaques are 23 heart-shaped silver amulets, each one connected to an imitation gem made from coloured glass and a coin minted by the government of Pakistan. These include a 1 anna coin dated 1949, two 10 pice coins dated 1961, and a range of 10 paisa coins dated between 1962-1974. The whole ornament is secured to the neck or head with a length of green velvet ribbon which threads through the loops of the endpieces.

Geographical reference

Yemen

Asia > Western Asia > Yemen

Iran, Islamic Republic of

Asia > Southern Asia > Iran, Islamic Republic of

Person

Maker Unknown Maker

Field collector Ann Shaw

PRM source John Frederick Shaw

Date / Period

Date made: 1974 - 2000, uncertain

Date collected

Before 2017

Acquisition information

Donated: 10/02/2022

Materials and processes

Material Silver Metal, Material Glass, Material Copper Alloy Metal, Material Nickel Metal

Dimensions

Width: max 340 mm, Length: max 130 mm

Object numbers

Accession number: 2023.31.1

Research and responses

The design of this object is similar to a type of Yemeni necklace known as "labbeh", worn by women as bridal jewellery or for festive events. Such necklaces feature strings of amulets or beads in a range of shapes, decorated with coloured glass or paste and applied filigree. The labbeh was worn in many different ways by both Muslim and Jewish women in Yemen, including as a necklace, on top of the head, as a chin-chain attached to a headdress, and as a veil. [BLJS 14/12/2023]

Search terms: Ornament, Head Ornament, Neck Ornament