Four-strand necklace (lazem) of silver beads separated by rectangular spacers, with pendent amulet cases, Yemen, 1850-1900.

Necklace consisting of four rows of small silver beads with three rectangular spacers, keeping the rows apart, and a trapezoid terminal at each end. The spacers and terminals are made of plain sheet silver with filigree patterns applied on the front. The spacers each have a pendant shaped like a cylindrical amulet case hanging from their lower edges. The central one is made from sheet silver with applied filigree, and has five open filigree leaf-shaped pendants hanging from its base and sides. The other two are made from open filigree, and each has three pendant leaves. The necklace is strung on four strands of natural cotton, which are tied off at the outer ends of the terminals, and attached to a short length of chain, one of which has a hook for fastening at its far end.

In the 19th century, until their final exodus to Israel in the 1950s, Jewish goldsmiths made most of the silver jewellery in the Yemen. They were particularly renowned for the quality of their filigree work, which was worn and appreciated as much by Muslim as by Jewish women.

This type of necklace, called a lazem, is one of the traditional styles made by the Jewish goldsmiths. Its main distinguishing feature was one or more pendent cylindrical amulet cases. These amulets were worn by both Jews and Muslims. In many cases, as here, the case did not open, as the shape alone was considered sufficient to provide protection.

M.98-1909