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Qatar Museums, Museum of Islamic Art. Photo: Lois Lammerhuber Terms and Conditions

Gold Bracelet

Museum of Islamic Art

Currently on view at Museum of Islamic Art
Title:
Gold Bracelet
Production place:
Syria
Date:
1000 - 1200
Period:
Fatimid
Material:
Gold alloy
Technique:
Granulation, Hammering, Repoussé, Filigree, Soldering
Diameter:
10.5 cm

Jewellery and other artefacts in precious metals rarely survived from the early Islamic period, as the metal was usually re-melted and remade in more fashionable styles. Fatimid jewellery is characterized by fine gold filigree work using techniques of repoussé and refined granulation, sometimes engraved and nielloed or inlaid with enamel.
This open tubular bracelet is made of thin sheets executed to give the appearance of solid gold. Folded into a hollow tube, the shank has a repoussé pattern of palmettes. The overlapping finials of this armlet are ribbed and have terminal filigree domes with small loops.
Created as a pair, these bracelets allow it to be slipped onto the wrist. They would have been given to a wealthy woman, possibly from medieval Syria.

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