Not currently on display at the V&A

Shams u kmar

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

This band of silver parcel-gilt, decorated with alternate stripes of stamped gold and plaited wire borders, was made to decorate the arm of a Moroccan woman. The combination of silver and gold is said to symbolise the sun and moon. Known as 'shams u kmar', these bracelets are usually associated with Fez.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleShams u kmar (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Silver with silver-gilt appliqués
Brief description
Silver and silver-gilt annnular bracelet with alternating silver and gold diagonal segments, Morocco, 1850-1899.
Physical description
Solid annular silver bracelet, gilded on the outside, with a diagonal band of hollow lozenges attached on the outside. These lozenges, which alternate between silver and silver-gilt, fit neatly into each other and the rim, giving the impression of a continuous spiral pattern. The silver lozenges have a floral pattern down the centre, and the gold lozenges, which are wider, have an arabesque pattern. The rim of the bracelet, on either side of the central band of lozenges, is formed of twisted and beaded wire.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 7.2cm
  • Height: 2.9cm
Marks and inscriptions
Partial marks of Arabic characters in circular frame. (On the front, on the centre of three consecutive silver sections.)
Translation
Town, date and assay marks. Date appears to be '129...' or c. 1880
Credit line
Bequeathed by Edmond Dresden
Object history
Accessions register entry - 'Armlet of silver parcel-gilt, with alternate bands of stamped gold, backed with composition, and plaited wire borders. Marks, Arabic inscriptions. / a ring set with oblique bars alternately of silver with a scroll pattern cast in low-relief and chased, and of gold foil stamped with foliage. / Moorish; 19th century. / Diam. 3 1/8 in., W. 1 1/4 in.'
Summary
This band of silver parcel-gilt, decorated with alternate stripes of stamped gold and plaited wire borders, was made to decorate the arm of a Moroccan woman. The combination of silver and gold is said to symbolise the sun and moon. Known as 'shams u kmar', these bracelets are usually associated with Fez.
Collection
Accession number
301-1904

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Record createdApril 2, 2003
Record URL
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