#desert silver

New addition to my collection of old Arab silver from a small jewelry shop in the Sudanese quarter. I did not plan to buy jewelry that day (and in general tried to stay away from Khan al Khalili) but thanks to God I always have a little bit extra cash hidden “just in case something pops up”. Collector’s curse...

These are old Egyptian clip on earrings which are reworked from even older “kirdan” necklace. I love the delicate filigree and their symbolic: the crescent moon, the stars, and 5 noisy dangles to ward off evil by the noise they make. Number “5″ used to be connected with protection in general - in the same way the famous khamsa, the hand of Fatima, is working. You can read more about it  on the website of my colleague called Beduin Silver. 

At the annual fair – a celebration of British goldsmithing and silversmithing talent  there is a free metal analysis service, so I  bring along some of my desert silver, which is usually unmarked  to see what kind of mysterious metal and silver mix the tribal smiths have used.

Here you can see my antique Moroccan Draa valley bangle in the analyser x ray machine propped up between a book and a circular box. On the screen analysis – Ag is the silver content, the bangle consists of 835 parts silver to 155 parts copper.

On one of my previous years visits I made friends with one of the exhibiting goldsmiths Melissa Rigby. http://www.melissarigby.co.uk/

She had spotted one of my Tuareg veil weights I’d brought to test  and immediately bought it! I was drawn to her  by her lapis lazuli and gold necklace which to me looked like a something from an early civilization. The lapis is beautifully unpolished and the centre piece is Melissa’s own technique of fusing gold and enamel. Absolutely stunning!

    If you are in London is early October the Goldsmith’s Fair is unmissable.