Ethnic Design Collection Reto Zehnder

Omani nis'a or dufuf "earings" with silver wire decoration. Each earring comprises an elongated hollow cone decorated on the outside with silver filigree. A loop of silver wire (Hàlka) joins the top and the bottom of the cylinder. Women in Northern Oman wore these earrings, often several of them, depending on the wealth of the woman, attached to a silver chain which ran across the top of the head.

The triangular necklace called "Màkhnak", meaning "The pearl of the neck" is made up of a large central bead called in Rustaq area "al bursa", unripe date. On either side of the central bead are smaller silver beads and on red resin bead. these beads are strung on a rigid silver rod, which is attached to an elaborate triangular hinge, called "Mirkat" and which is linked to two silver chains. The "Makhnak" necklace was a basic piece of every Omani women in Norther Oman

The triangular necklace called "Màkhnak", meaning "The pearl of the neck" is made up of a large central bead called in Rustaq area "al bursa", unripe date. On either side of the central bead are smaller silver beads and on red resin bead. these beads are strung on a rigid silver rod, which is attached to an elaborate triangular hinge, called "Mirkat" and which is linked to two silver chains. The "Makhnak" necklace was a basic piece of every Omani women in Norther Oman.

The triangular necklace called "Màkhnak", meaning "The pearl of the neck" is made up of a large central bead called in Rustaq area "al bursa", unripe date. On either side of the central bead are two red beads coated with silver. The horizontal rod is attached to two elaborate triangular shaped and articulated pieces of small silver balls and in-between them six fine meshed silver chains. The "Makhnak" necklace was a basic piece of every Omani women in Northern Oman.

The triangular necklace called "Màkhnak", meaning "The pearl of the neck" is made up of a large central bead called in Rustaq area "al bursa", unripe date. On either side of the central bead are two red beads. At the end of the rigid silver rod, two small hirz with danglers are attached. The whole horizontal piece is attached to an elaborate triangular hinge, called "Mirkat" and which is linked to two silver chains. The "Makhnak" necklace was a basic piece of every Omani women in Norther

Oman.

Splendid necklace called "shibgat" from Central Oman. It is not strictly speaking a necklace as it is suspended from the ears. Here 2 chains were added to the top rings so it could also be worn as traditional necklace.

Tasbih misbaha  with thity three (22 & 11) oval tiger eye beads. 

Tasbih misbaha  with ninety nine (66 & 33) non identified gem beads

Tasbih misbaha  with ninety nine (66 & 33) carnelian ? beads.

Tasbih misbaha  with sixty six (44 & 22) tiger eye beads. 

Tasbih misbaha  with thirty three (22 & 11) black decorated plastic beads.

Tasbih misbaha  with thirty three (22 & 11) yellow plastic beads.

asbih misbaha  with thirty three (22 & 11) fanncy  beads. 

This rosary consists of 55 plastic (amber imitation) beads, an unusal number for a rosary.

Tasbih misbaha  with 100 plastic beads beads and elongated cylindrical wooden bead at the end (the pillar).

Tasbih misbaha  with ninety nine (66 & 33) darke purple gem beads.

Yemeny necklace with 22 silver beads and small red glass beads. The necklace could be a islamic  prayer rosary even if th number of beads does not correspond.

Tasbih misbaha  with ninetynine (66 & 33) green jade? beads

Tasbih misbaha  with thirty three (22 & 11) tiger eye beads. 

Tasbih misbaha  with ninety nine (66 & 33) darke brown gem beads. 

Tasbih misbaha  with ninety nine (66 & 33) darke purple gem beads. 

Tasbih misbaha  with 33  (22 & 11) bakelite  beads

Tasbih misbaha  with sixty six (44 & 22) black onyx (or jais)  beads.

Tasbih misbaha  with sixty six (44 & 22) black onyx (or jais)  beads

Ninety nine (66 & 33) green Jade ? beads.

Beautiful antique Yemeni water jug.  The jug has been used on fire maybe to prepare tea or coffee. Looks very old with a nice patina.

Labba tayyur or bird necklace made by a Jewish silversmith probably early 1900. This is an outstanding piece of jewellery bought late 1970 in Yemen. It was considered already at the time as an extremely rare and expensive piece. It will need some more investigation regarding the artisan who created this unique piece of ethnic jewellery.

Very fine Labba necklace with incredible detail and granulation, Jewish workmanship. The necklace which was worn over chin neck and chest. The necklace is made of a lot of silver parts, held together by silver rings. The layers have filigree and repousse work. The cooton string shows signs of long and intensive use.

This necklace bought in around 1980 in Yemen has a  large hirz amulet box suspended on the original chain of woven silver wire. The boxe is rectangular but with rounded sides, on the topis  a row of lozenge-shaped silver applique plaques . Fourteen dangles with small bells complete the box. For a Yemeni jewelery it has a very sober line. A beautiful and rare piece of ethnic jewelery. This necklace is typical for the Hadhramaut Region, Yemen.