Author
Unknown
Publication Date
1839
Publication Place
Egypt (made) -
Subject
Jewellery Africa Metalwork
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
Height: 6.5cm, Width: 6.3cm
Library
Victoria and Albert Museum
Library Asset ID
1504-1873
Record ID
1504-1873
Library Location
Middle East Section
Date
1839
Notes
The 1851 Great Exhibition inspired a series of âLondon International Exhibitionsâ which took place in South Kensington in 1871, 1872, 1873 and 1874. Fine arts and scientific inventions and discoveries remained central display themes but each exhibition presented different aspects of manufacture. In 1872 one emphasis was on jewellery, including âpeasant jewelleryâ. The Exhibition Commissioners arranged with the South Kensington Museum (later V&A) to make a collection of peasant jewellery from âall parts of the world, which should become public property, for exhibition in the Museum after the close of the Exhibitionâ. A letter was sent by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to British representatives overseas asking for their help in securing pieces of jewellery, particularly examples with âa direct connection with the native instinctive art, which has been handed down by a long traditionâ. The outcome was considered to be âmost satisfactory ⦠a collection of characteristic ornaments never before equalled was obtainedâ. This earring is part of this collection. It was made in Egypt, as the marks make clear, for use by the nomadic tribes of the region, who obtained all their jewellery from specialist urban silversmiths. Earrings in the region in the 19th century were particularly large, and are sometimes mistaken for bangles today. The large filigree bead is an early design which was later frequently replaced by a cube with truncated corners.
Sample Text
'Ù¨Ù ' in square frame.Transliteration80TranslationMark for 800 standard silver.NoteOn side of wire., 'Ù¨Ù ' with crescent and stylised lion in oval frame.Transliteration80TranslationMark for 800 standard silver, Egypt,c.1839-1920.NoteOn side of wire.
Malzemeler ve teknikler
Silver filigree Silver Filigree
Fiziksel açıklama
Hoop of thick silver wire with one end twisted to form a hook and the other a loop. Just behind the loop there is a large silver bead of crude filigree threaded on the wire, held in place by a length of twisted wire wrapped round the hoop behind it.