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 of melted silver and other metals, are measured against the Maria Theresa Thaler coin, considered the highest standard with a silver content of 75-85%, whereas Yemeni beads typically range from 45-50% silver content, with most falling below this standard.

Provenance: Ruth Flynn Collection 

Africa Direct has bought a wonderful collection of beads and trade bead necklaces designed and made by Ruth Flynn. Ruth says, “I first fell in love with African beads when my middle child (of 5!) decided that at age 13 to spend a semester going to school in Bamako, Mali, and live with my sister who was there with the World Bank. Africa Direct provided so many opportunities for me to learn about beads and make my own necklaces. I wore African bead necklaces almost every day of my career as a lawyer in Washington, DC.”

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