I have just found an interesting article written in 2011 -
"Beauty and belief: the endangered tradition of Omani silver jewellery" by Aude Mongiatti, Fahmida Suleman and Nigel Meeks, and I thought I'd mention it. My apologies if it has been highlighted before.
https://www.britishmuseum.org/pdf/BMTRB_5_Mongiatti_Suleman_and_Meeks.pdf
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Dear Charlotte, Just see this article about Omani antique silver jewelry. I just finished commenting on Preethi's adventure in Oman. and guessed of the rarity and the end of the pieces because judging the prices Preethi mentioned. Fashioned being now for dowies to be in gold. Like in Ethiopia, gold is replacing silver. Because cost of labour price on gold jewelry was 3 times more than when made in silver (I am talking about the labour cost, already in the 1980,besides the material cost. so jewelers have more interest producing in gold.)
Reading your recommended article it all confirms it. Thank you. You got your beautiful necklace in time.
Gr. Ingrid.
What a disappointment, Preethi! I hope you find many other interesting places to visit. I really enjoy the pictures you sent :)
Preethi said:
Very useful article, Charlotte. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing Charlotte. And to Lynn for the summary :) When in Muscat, I was hoping to see the collection of the National museum, which includes the jewellery of Sayyida Salme bent Said. Unfortunately, the museum is being relocated to next to the Sultan's palace, and the new area is not yet open to the public.
It's a fascinating article, thank you for posting it. I was impressed at the photo of the jewelry from 1860 which shows almost exactly the same pieces made mid 20th century. I was also impressed that only one article in 200+ was cast, and that the average silver purity used was 96%!