Yemeni Silver Beads

[Annie Boehm]

Hi All,

We have quite a few beads that I think are from Yemen.  We have some that are similar, but different enough that I'm wondering if they may be something different altogether. 

This seems like an excellent place to find out!

 

 

I'll post photos of both: first the ones I think are from Yemen; the second batch ... I' don't know..

 

I'm also curious to know how to determine age on these.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Annie

[Becky Rogers]

Hi Annie,

These are from Yemen and are sometimes known as Wheat beads. I have seen modern copies of these and have heard they come from Thailand. Some of yours have signatures and that could help you authenticate them. Hope this helps.

Becky

[Giovanna Castelli]

these beads are really beautiful ! I've seen many but these look exceptional: nicely worn but not all broken !

[kim price]

I'd like to see pictures of the recent Thai copies, any idea where to find such?

Thanks, 

kim

[Becky Rogers]

I have one that I got when I didn't know any better. I will take a picture for you. It just looks off -too big, too crisp and too shiny.
Becky

[kim price]

thanks, would love to see for comparison!

[Anna Garner]

I am late in finding these photos.  I will add a bit of information on dating them.  All such signed pieces date from before the late 1940s, because after that date there were no longer any Jewish silversmiths (the ones who made these beads) in Yemen.  They had all been permitted by the Imam to emigrate to Israel by 1948.  The exodus had begun even earlier.  A safe guess for the very worn beads is early 1900s.

I have a lot of these lentil, (wheat, starshot) design beads that are often signed by the maker.  I have sold several as simple pendants.  

[Anna Garner]

Ah, Yes, of course.  I did not re-connect them with a post on Thai beads.  That type of Yemeni bead usually has a better shine than the granulated ones.  But I do like both types.  And the Bawsani beads are my favorites.  

[Harald]

Like many reply's before me, I would say Yemen. And the ones with a signature ones can be dated.

I did not come along the Thai copies so far. But I did see the crudely made non silver ones from Yemen from much later times.

[Anna Garner]

Quite right, Harald.  Most of the ones that have been in my collection (they are nearly all sold now) have a signature on them.  

anna