Items Similar to Oman, Necklace, 19th Century
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6
Oman, Necklace, 19th Century
About the Item
Stunning and rare Omani tribal necklace in gold and silver featuring eight Burgau thalers dated 1780. 19th century.
Very good condition. Preserved and professionally framed.
Dimensions of the necklace: 52 x 30 x 3
Dimensions of the frame: 70 x 47 x 5
Secure shipping.
This fine Omani necklace of silver and gold comprises two strands of spiky, seed pod-like silver beads; gold-wrapped beads; eight silver Maria Theresa thaler coins; and a large silver and gold amulet box, with multiple chain tassels each of which finishes with a square-shaped pendant cut from sheet silver.
The cigar-shaped amulet box called hirz would have contained some Koranic verse or religious text.
Such a spectacular display of wealth would only have been worn at times of important festivities such as marriage celebrations.
Maria Theresa thalers were made in Austria since the reign of Empress Maria Theresa of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Empress died in 1780 and since that time, all thalers that were subsequently struck were minted with that date regardless of the actual year that they were produced. The coins achieved such a level of trust for their silver content (which is 83.3% silver) in the Middle East that neither the design not the date was varied, and so for more than 200 years the coins were used as an international currency among the tribes and the states of the Middle East, in much the same way as the Spanish dollar was used as an international currency at the time elsewhere. The thalers were used to complete most important transactions locally and were also given as dowries. They were also an important source of silver and were melted locally for jewellery.
The coins made their way to the ports of the Red Sea, Egypt and northern Africa from the ports of Genoa, Trieste, Livorno and Marseille. European traders used the coins to buy precious materials from the Gulf and northern Africa which it desired – commodities such as spices, coffee, gum Arabic, indigo, pearls, and tortoise shell.
The importance and the beauty of the coins saw them incorporated into local jewellery most particularly in Oman and Yemen.
References
Al-Jadir, S., Arab & Islamic Silver, Stacey International, 1981.
Harrigan, P., ‘Tales of a Thaler’, Saudi Aramco World, January/February 2003.
Hawley, R., Omani Silver, Longman, 1978.
Hawley, R., Silver: The Traditional Art of Oman, Stacey International, 2000.
Rajab, J.S., Silver Jewellery of Oman, Tareq Rajab Museum, 1998.
Ransom, M., Silver Treasures from the Land of Sheba: Regional Yemeni Jewelry, AUC Press, 2014.
- Dimensions:Height: 20.48 in (52 cm)Width: 11.82 in (30 cm)Depth: 1.19 in (3 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:Oman
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:19th Century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:PARIS, FR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8131234682102
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
Established in 2020
1stDibs seller since 2023
9 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: PARIS, France
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
More From This SellerView All
- 19th Century Russian Cossack GuéridonLocated in PARIS, FRSuperb Russian Cossack marquetry guéridon from the 19th century. The table top is removable and can be set in place with screws. In fair condition, the foot has a split in the wood....Category
Antique 19th Century Russian Louis Philippe Gueridon
MaterialsWood
- Incense Burner, Japan, 19th CenturyLocated in PARIS, FRBeautiful incense burner in the shape of a straw basket with a praying mantis sitting on top. Bronze, Japan 19th century. Good condition, oxidation, one leg missing from the prayi...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Meiji Urns
MaterialsBronze
- Candle Stick, France, 19th CenturyLocated in PARIS, FRSuperb church altar candlestick of the Romantic period. Decorations in gold leaf and blue and white enamel of flowers, fleur-de-lys (symbol of the French royal house) and rams at the...Category
Antique 19th Century French Romantic Candlesticks
MaterialsBronze, Gold Leaf
- Arma Christi Calvary, France 19th CenturyLocated in PARIS, FRSuperb and rare Arma Christi calvary, popular work, France end of the 19th century. Beautifully executed work. Fair condition. Several small misses and ancient restaurations. See...Category
Antique 19th Century French Folk Art Antiquities
MaterialsWood
- Arma Christi Calvary, France 19th CenturyLocated in PARIS, FRSuperb and rare Arma Christi calvary, popular work, France end of the 19th century. Beautifully executed work. Fair condition. Several small misses and ancient restaurations. Seen ...Category
Antique 19th Century French Folk Art Antiquities
MaterialsWood
- Vienna Bronze, Lizard, Late 19th CenturyBy GeschutztLocated in PARIS, FRSuperb and large 19th century Vienna bronze of a lizard by the Geschütz manufacture. Not signed. Dimensions in cm ( H x L x L ) : 4 x 28 x 9. Secure shipping.Category
Antique Late 19th Century Austrian Romantic Animal Sculptures
MaterialsBronze
You May Also Like
- 19th Century Ethiopian ThroneLocated in London, GBThis large, impressive nineteenth-century Ethiopian throne, from the Wollega Oromo culture, features a high, upright back-rest. An attractive cut-ou...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Ethiopian Tribal Tribal Art
MaterialsWood
- 19th Century Zanzibar ChestLocated in Pasadena, CAThis is a very good example of a 19th century Zanzibar storage chest. The chest was created in the mid-19th century. The teak case is adorned with cut and open work brass strapping i...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Zanzibari Tribal Blanket Chests
MaterialsBrass
- 19th Century Berber ScarfLocated in Brecht, BEA very rare find this mid 19th century unique berber scarf, sublime natural dye colors.Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Moroccan Tribal Art
MaterialsWool
- African Currency, 19th CenturyLocated in Dallas, TXThis set of 3 pieces of African currency is very interesting. Looking like some sort of ancient maraca, these 19th century pieces jingle and noise-make with each step. The dimensions...Category
Antique 19th Century African Tribal Art
MaterialsMetal
- Large 19th Century Wooden MortarLocated in Chicago, ILA large 19th century Central American wooden mortar with a beautifully hand-hewn texture and a well worn finish. Mortars like these were used to crush grains, spices, herbs, and othe...Category
Antique 19th Century Central American Tribal Decorative Bowls
MaterialsWood
- 19th Century Low Reclining Ethiopian ChairLocated in London, GBCarved from a single piece of dense, heavy wood, this nineteenth-century Gurage low-set chair from Ethiopia exhibits an unusual, rare form. Consisting of a circular double-tiered seat with an angled, reclining back-support, the chair exhibits a deep glossy surface patina, particularly on the back-support and seat as a result of use. The chair is functional, and is reasonably comfortable to sit on. Estimated Period: 19th Century Ex Private Family Collection, Addis Ababa...Category
Antique 19th Century Ethiopian Tribal Tribal Art
MaterialsWood
