Bangle
1850-1899 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Bracelets were part of traditional costume in most Islamic cultures, and were always originally worn in matching pairs. Tribal peoples, such as the Bedouin, usually wore stiff circular or penannular bracelets, rather than the flexible and hinged bracelets which were more common among urban women.
Bracelets like this, with flaring ends, are typical of North Africa from the Maghreb to Egypt. This example was described as ‘Modern Egyptian’ when it was acquired by the Museum in 1904, and probably came from the Western Desert, along the border with Libya, as is shown by the three fluted bosses riveted to the band. These bracelets are usually made of silver, and although many must have been made of copper or copper alloy for poorer women in the past, very few in this material have survived from the 19th century.
Bracelets like this, with flaring ends, are typical of North Africa from the Maghreb to Egypt. This example was described as ‘Modern Egyptian’ when it was acquired by the Museum in 1904, and probably came from the Western Desert, along the border with Libya, as is shown by the three fluted bosses riveted to the band. These bracelets are usually made of silver, and although many must have been made of copper or copper alloy for poorer women in the past, very few in this material have survived from the 19th century.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Brass, incising |
| Brief description | Penannular brass bangle with flared ends and three fluted knops, Egypt, 1850-1899. |
| Physical description | Penannular bracelet made from a strip of brass which widens at each end. The outside is decorated with hatched bands and three applied fluted studs, two conical either side of a central lozenge shape. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Bequeathed by Edmond Dresden |
| Object history | Accessions register entry: 'Bracelet of cast bronze, roughly chased. / a flat penannular band, widening at the ends, decorated with bands of short lines forming borders, and triangular compartments enclosing three ribbed bosses. / Modern Egyptian. / Diam. 2 1/8 in., W. at ends 1 3/8 in.' |
| Summary | Bracelets were part of traditional costume in most Islamic cultures, and were always originally worn in matching pairs. Tribal peoples, such as the Bedouin, usually wore stiff circular or penannular bracelets, rather than the flexible and hinged bracelets which were more common among urban women. Bracelets like this, with flaring ends, are typical of North Africa from the Maghreb to Egypt. This example was described as ‘Modern Egyptian’ when it was acquired by the Museum in 1904, and probably came from the Western Desert, along the border with Libya, as is shown by the three fluted bosses riveted to the band. These bracelets are usually made of silver, and although many must have been made of copper or copper alloy for poorer women in the past, very few in this material have survived from the 19th century. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 326-1904 |
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| Record created | April 8, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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