Islamic coins

Figure 3.15 - Adams.Z., (2019) Zikr Umla. Image showing coins made using different techniques.

The pieces in this collection are made of a variety of metals including copper, brass, gilding metal and silver, and make reference to Arabic calligraphy and Bedouin jewellery. A Bedouin coin can be described as a silver coin that is antique, showing off dents and scratches, and overall has a used and relic-like look to it. In trying to make a coin that resembled Bedouin coins, I used a variety of techniques.

Below is a list of four techniques that I used to create coins:

1. Acid etching.
2. Piercing and soldering. 
3. Sand casting.
4. Lost wax casting.

Out of all the techniques that I tried, I found sand casting to be most successful in resembling Bedouin coins. The coin was not meant to be a perfect replica, but rather to be my interpretation of Bedouin coins.

The idea behind this project was to create a charm that represents what is valuable to me, which is Allah (God). The continuous remembrance of Allah is known in Arabic as "Zikr". The three main attributes translate as, " Glory to Allah", "All praise into Allah" and, "Allah is the greatest". This project has a direct relationship to creating as a form of worship because of it's reference to religion and the remembrance of Allah.

Throughout the making of this collection, there was constant remembrance (Zikr) of Allah, which is the definition of creating as a form of worship. I would say this project serves as a means of spiritual mediation for me as the designer and manufacturer and will also serve as spiritual mediation for the viewer who understands its purpose.

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.

Bedouin people - Lifestyle and homeland

Image of a Bedouin lady adorned in multiple items of jewellery

The word "Bedouin" is the Arabic word for "nomad". The Bedouin are nomadic tribes located across Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Israel, Algeria, Iraq and Palestine.

Their occupation is mostly travelling to trade. The Bedouin were responsible for the transportation of goods to and from the surrounding tribes as well as to Rome, India, East Africa and the Indies. They travelled on camels in caravans across the dessert to trade their goods.

Because they were nomadic, it was essential that all their belongings could travel with them. For this reason, they chose to store wealth/savings in the form of livestock and silver jewellery.



Reference: Bedouin Jewellery in Saudi Arabia by Heather Colyer Ross