Anklet
1860-1870 (made)
1860-1870 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Anklets, always worn in pairs, were part of the traditional dress of the nomadic Bedouin throughout the Syrian region in the 19th century. They were often very heavy, made of cast silver, and represented a major part of the wearer’s dowry. The name khulkhal is a generic Arabic name for anklets.
Anklets like this one were usually worn by children. The bells helped their mother to track their movements, but also had a more important amuletic function, as the sound was believed to avert evil spirits. It was bought for four shillings and sixpence (the pair) at the International Exhibition, London, in 1872, as an example of traditional Syrian jewellery for children.
Anklets like this one were usually worn by children. The bells helped their mother to track their movements, but also had a more important amuletic function, as the sound was believed to avert evil spirits. It was bought for four shillings and sixpence (the pair) at the International Exhibition, London, in 1872, as an example of traditional Syrian jewellery for children.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | |
| Materials and techniques | silver-plated metal |
| Brief description | Silver-plated anklet (khulkhal) with bells attached by rings, Syria, 1860-18720. |
| Physical description | Tiny anklet consisting of two strips of silver-plated sheet, of equal size, hinged together with a pin fastening. The pin is loose and attached to the anklet by a short length of loop-in-loop chain. There are six loops attached to the outside of each half, from which hang pendent bells. |
| Dimensions |
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| Summary | Anklets, always worn in pairs, were part of the traditional dress of the nomadic Bedouin throughout the Syrian region in the 19th century. They were often very heavy, made of cast silver, and represented a major part of the wearer’s dowry. The name khulkhal is a generic Arabic name for anklets. Anklets like this one were usually worn by children. The bells helped their mother to track their movements, but also had a more important amuletic function, as the sound was believed to avert evil spirits. It was bought for four shillings and sixpence (the pair) at the International Exhibition, London, in 1872, as an example of traditional Syrian jewellery for children. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1539-1873 |
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| Record created | April 8, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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