Bedouin Jewellery

Figure 1.9 - Florian, H.,(1978) Bedouin silver jewellery with coins and amber beads

Bedouin jewellery is the jewellery made by the people from the nomadic tribe in the middle east and Saudi Arabia. Bedouin jewellery is predominantly made from silver but can also be found in gold or brass. Bedouin jewellery is typically large and dramatic, showing off elements like chains, bells, coins (known in Arabic as Umla), wire-work, hollowed elements and metal beads (see figure 1.9). Traditional Bedouin jewellery is made by hand using basic tools and equipment. 

There is also a variety of precious-stone beads and cabochons, that are obtained from mining and trading. The stones are simple cuts of gemstones such as turquoise, amber and carnelian, coral, agate, and pearls (Colyer Ross 1978:21).

Figure 1.10 - Florian, H.,(1978) Iqd (necklace). Bedouin silver necklace with hemp tie.

Some pieces make use of textiles such as cloth which is used for necklace backings and hemp tie as seen in figure 1.10. It is noticeable that not much attention was paid to precision as most pieces show off imperfections (Colyer Ross 1978: 66-87).

Hand-made items were highly sought after among the Bedouin people and jewellers used basic ancient silversmith tools and techniques to make jewellery by hand (Colyer Ross 1978:63). After doing some research on the Bedouin lifestyle, I think that the jewellery having slight imperfections showed that it was in fact hand made and not a cast or mass-produced item. 

Functions of Bedouin jewellery include indication of status in society, redeemable wealth/insurance and some pieces are related to spiritual mediation and protection against evil.