The diversity of the Arabian Peninsula is seen not only in its landscapes and peoples, but also in its jewellery styles, which differ markedly from state to state. The Sultanate of Oman possessed, and still possesses, some of the most skilled silversmiths in Arabia. The silver jewellery they produce is of a quality and beauty unsurpassed in the Arab world, and this is an introduction to the subject. There are colour illustrations of khanjars (the characteristic T-shaped dagger of Oman), necklaces, anklets, bracelets, hair decorations and earrings, together with an informative textual background to their history, manufacture and styles.

"In this remarkable aesthetic celebration of history and heritage, the acclaimed contemporary jewellery designer, Oytun Camcıgil presents a range of timelessly beautiful material gathered from a region that spans Turkey through to Central Asia and the lands of the Arabian peninsula. Here we find over 500 photographs of Ottoman, Turkmen, Omani, and Yemeni jewellery in their original forms, presented with authoritative text that gives a rare insight into the workmanship and purpose of the artworks. Also included is a section of Oytun's own creations - works which use a combination of tribal pieces and modern elements to create contemporary jewellery that can be worn in everyday settings. Eastern Treasures covers a broad geography and history and draws the material together to form a cohesive narrative, pointing the way to shared heritage and its crucial role in contemporary design. A beautiful photographic book for anyone with an interest in the ethnography of art and design"--Dust jacket front flap.

The modern coastal city of Muscat provides a gateway to scuba diving, dhow cruising and turtle watching, whilst the ancient inner regions provide ideal terrain to take a 4WD through wadis or desert. Some of the most luxurious hotels in the Middle East are in Oman, so this guide is suitable for up-market travellers and backpackers alike.

Some of the oldest civilizations in the world originated along the fertile banks of the Nile, Tigris and Euphrates rivers, and the countries of the Middle East and North Africa have been cultural melting pots ever since. The trade routes adopted by the regione(tm)s nomads linked colorful cultures and time-long traditions like so many beads on a string. And indeed it is in the regione(tm)s jewelery that its many-layered history of tribes and empires, nomads and villagers is perhaps best seen. From an archaeological point of view, decorative details and motifs can be traced back centuries, sometimes even millennia. This book, Desert Silver, explores the social, economic and religious background of this jewelery. The traditional silver jewelery of the region combines a variety of aspects of desert life. As the unalienable property of a woman, it has practical, economic value; it serves as a social indicator and reveals where the wearer comes from, how rich she is and her status as a wife and mother. Perhaps more importantly it is frequently worn as a powerful amulet. Jewelery plays a subtle role in everyday society as communicator, messenger and bank account, and all of these aspects are discussed in the book and illustrated with rich examples, from Palestinian wedding necklaces made from fragrant cloves to the brightly enamelled bracelets of the Maghreb. The different functions fulfilled by jewelery are rooted deep within society, so changes within that society inevitably impact its jewellery. Now that traditional societies are changing fast, what does the future hold for the traditional silver jewellery of the Middle East and North Africa, jewelery that has remained unchanged for centuries?

Silver Treasures from the Land of Sheba documents a disappearing artistic and cultural tradition with over three hundred photographs showing individual pieces, rare images of women wearing their jewelry with traditional dress, and the various regions in Yemen where the author did her field research. Amulet cases, hair ornaments, bridal headdresses, earrings, necklaces, ankle and wrist bracelets are all beautifully photographed in intricate detail. A chapter on the history of silversmithing in Yemen tells the surprising story of the famed Jewish Yemeni silversmiths, many of whom left Yemen in the late 1940s.

Jewellery sets off beauty and reveals wealth. Moreover, jewellery had a magical function in