2 Turkomen Silver Metal Beads Ruth Flynn Collection

Silversmiths in Yemen exhibit a rich diversity of styles influenced by regional and cultural distinctions. In the northern regions, where many silversmiths are of Jewish descent, jewelry reflects centuries of Hebrew influence, showcasing intricate filigree and granulation on rings, beads, and pendants. Southern Yemen, having been a British colony, reflects a broader array of influences, including Indian and Persian styles. Southern Yemeni silverwork often incorporates motifs like palm trees and barley, representative of the local fauna. Yemeni jewelry emphasizes both functionality and geometry, with many pendants serving as amulets to hold prayers or scriptures. Symbolic motifs such as snakes, triangles, fish, crescents, and sun shapes, each carrying fertility or religious significance, adorn beads and jewelry. Coins are frequently integrated, symbolizing prosperity, while loop-in-loop chains, known for their noise, are believed to ward off evil spirits. Yemeni silver beads, composed o