Silvr forearm bracelet, Egypt

Upper arm bracelet from Egypt. Decorated with fine and delicate filigree, and stamped as high-grade silver in many places.

The bracelet was used for the Zar ceremony, a form of dancing practiced to cure someone of recurring symptoms believed to be caused by intermittent visits from spirits. Noisy dangles help with the ceremony pushing away the djinns with every movement.

Most of the Zar jewellery is made of low carat silver, which makes this example an exception among the rest of Zar jewelry.

Provenance: French private collection.

From the first half of the 20th century or earlier.

Dimensions:

Diameter: 8,3 cm
Frontal plaque: 4 x 10,5 cm
Height with dangles: 8,5 cm

Weight: 213,3 gr

Literature:

“The traditional jewelry of Egypt”, Fahmy, Azza, AUC Press, 2015, p. 184

EG29