Not currently on display at the V&A

Bangle

1850-1899 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Throughout history the Zanzibar archipelago has served as a staging post for Indian Ocean traders and explorers. In 1698 it became part of the overseas holdings of Oman and a sultanate of Omani origin established its capital there in the mid 19th century. This distinctive history has had a marked impact on Zanzibari arts and culture which reveal Persian, Arab, Indian, Portuguese, British and African influences.

This hinged silver bracelet is decorated with rows of conical bosses of different sizes and bands of filigree work. A label on the bracelet notes that it was 'made by the natives at Zanzibar by order of the late Sultan, and brought to England by his friend the late Monsieur J.B. Camosin'. The Sultan may have been Hamoud bin Mohammed (1853-1902). Zanzibar became a British protectorate in 1890. Hamoud had close ties with Britain: he was decorated by Queen Victoria for his role in ending Zanzibar's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade and his son and heir, Ali bin Hamud, was educated in England.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Sheet silver with open filigree decoration
Brief description
Wide silver hinged bracelet with filigree decoration and a strip of conical bosses round the centre, Zanzibar, 1850-1899.
Physical description
Wide silver bracelet, hinged in two unequal parts, with a screw fastening which has been soldered at the top to prevent its opening. The bracelet consists of three horizontal bands of sheet silver linked by strips of open filigree wire. The sheet bands are decorated on the outside with rows of cones.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 6cm
  • Height: 5.6cm
Object history
Accessions register entry (1903) - 'Bracelet of silver, with filigree decoration and bosses of cast work. Cylindrical, with a row of conical bosses round the middle bordered with filigree work and smaller bosses. A section of the bracelet opens on a hinge and is secured by a screw. From Zanzibar. General remarks: Copy of label with object:- "Bracelet made by the natives at Zanzibar by order of the late Sultan, and brought to England by his friend the late Monsieur J.B. (Camosin?)". Price £5 .
Madame Louise Portier, 23 Suffolk Street, Pall Mall, SW.'
Displayed in "V and A Africa: Exploring Hidden Histories"
15th November 2012- 3rd February 2013
Summary
Throughout history the Zanzibar archipelago has served as a staging post for Indian Ocean traders and explorers. In 1698 it became part of the overseas holdings of Oman and a sultanate of Omani origin established its capital there in the mid 19th century. This distinctive history has had a marked impact on Zanzibari arts and culture which reveal Persian, Arab, Indian, Portuguese, British and African influences.

This hinged silver bracelet is decorated with rows of conical bosses of different sizes and bands of filigree work. A label on the bracelet notes that it was 'made by the natives at Zanzibar by order of the late Sultan, and brought to England by his friend the late Monsieur J.B. Camosin'. The Sultan may have been Hamoud bin Mohammed (1853-1902). Zanzibar became a British protectorate in 1890. Hamoud had close ties with Britain: he was decorated by Queen Victoria for his role in ending Zanzibar's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade and his son and heir, Ali bin Hamud, was educated in England.
Collection
Accession number
276-1903

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Record createdApril 2, 2003
Record URL
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