This book is an amazing profile of Saudi Arabia and the jewellery pieces specific to each region of the Kingdom. What I personally enjoyed looking at was the map of how semi-precious and precious stones, glasswork and design influences have travelled to the gardens of Allah from all over the world.
From medieval times, jewellery has been the sole luxury for the people of the dessert. Generally, the Bedouin people are very practical in the sense that all they really required are the bare necessities such as shelter, food, water, farming work and trade. The good life, the simple life. And yet there is nothing simple in the art of Bedouin jewellery. Local artisans are known for their scrupulous work when it comes to detailing and unique use of metal alloys.
Over the years what we now call Bedouin silver has earned a reputation of being a low grade, readily tarnished metal. Indeed, as it is tradition to melt down pieces belonging to past generations and create new artworks for the young, it is close to impossible to find historical pieces. By melting the silver and mixing in other metals, the purity of silver has gone down steadily, paradoxically adding charm and uniqueness to the craft.
There are now larger sales of Bedouin pieces around the world – but this does not derive from the fact that life’s good and demand is on the rise. On the contrary, the people of the dessert opt for selling their creations rather than keeping them. Some days are tougher than others.
But weddings are immune to tougher times. Any Bedouin bride, regardless of her status within the tribe, will wear the most epic of creations on the day of her wedding. Head, nose, neck, ears, waist – everything will be covered in artisan pieces, even if they are just borrowed for the day. Of course this makes me admire the devotion to tradition of the Bedouin people. I learn from them everyday.
While Bedouin jewellery can be bought almost anywhere these days, for the most unique pieces head over to the female-only souq in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. I know one day I will.
39 Responses
Such an interesting book! I love ancient jewels and their history. Here in Bulgaria we have a lot of them. Thanks for the share.
xx
cvetybaby.com
So interesting book! I would love to read it!
Giovanna
http://www.sbirilla.blogspot.it
Very interesting book!
Kisses
Avery interesting book and post.
http://www.thestylegalaxy.com
Omg, i love this book :=)
Ilenia’s wardrobe
http://ileniaswardrobe.blogspot.it/
Beautiful pieces! I ate a a Bedouin restaurant once under a tent. We sat on pillows at a low table. After the fish was served, the hungry stray cats swiped our meals off the table! Great post! Have a wonderful weekend!
xo, Bry
Enchanted.Breakfast.Naughty&Nice
Oh how amazing, Brighton! What country was this in? 🙂
Egypt! Have a wonderful week, Edita.
Looks wonderful!
Melanie @ meandmr.com
ciao… bello il libro^_^
http://www.ollyup.com
Oh! I love Fashion, creativity, multucultural and jewelry, and this books looks a must have! for my collection.
Thanks for share it.
Thanks for your visit!
Jackelin Cc
MAKE YOUR OWN FASHION
It seems an interesting book <3
Have a nice day!
hugs
Amazing post dear!
http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/printed-sea-3880191
This book looks as though it’d make a fascinating read – I love books based on fashion that also provide a thorough background/detail 🙂
Gabrielle | A Glass Of Ice
x
It looks wonderful ! Have a lovely weekend 🙂
Looks like a lovely book! The jewelry is gorgeous!
What an object for drooling! That looks interesting, so very interesting. Always when there is jewellery involved, you get my intention of course 😉
That’s gorgeous!
Have a nice week end!
Photographer Gil Zetbase
http://www.gilzetbase.com/
Great book! Kiss
http://www.mammaaltop.com
well, well, well, of course it’s nice
Beautiful book! I could watch all this jewelry for hours 🙂
x Sandra
http://www.morestylethanfashion.com
Interesting book! 🙂
STYLE VANITY
What a great book to share, and so interesting about the traditions of melting it down to re-create. Lovely, intricate craft and art here. I do hope to see one on your neck, one day soon. Off to the market you go!
xx, Elle
http://mydailycostume.com
This book sounds very great!!
This seems a really nice book to have.
It’s interesting.
x
The Losing Struggle | Bloglovin’
Wonderful and interesting post dear friend!
Kiss
Paolo
great book
Mrs NoOne
This book sounds like a must-have.
xox
Lenya
FashionDreams&Lifestyle
This book seem very interesting!
kisses
http://www.theshadeoffashion.com
I love to go see a show at Medieval Times with my family and I love their costumes and jewelries as same as from the book you’ve read:).
Tanya
http://attraction2fashion.com
Those pictures are so fantastic! The artists behind those works are so brilliant. The history is fascinating as well. So much has come from that area, I enjoyed studying it in college quite a bit.
All Things Bright and Lovely
I need to have this book. Stunning pieces, just so lovely.
http://www.effortlesslady.com
great post
http://carrieslifestyle.com
Posts online about Dubai, Miami, South Africa…
thank you
this book very intersting:)
http://www.holalia.com
Amazing book, great tipe darling! I love the pictures!!
Baci,
Coco et La vie en rose – Valeria Arizzi
This book is veri interesting!
Alessia
new post
THECHILICOOL
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Kiss
This looks so wonderful…amazing creations here ;))) I hope you are well my dear, will be back to blogging next week. Am enjoying my break :))) Loves xx
this book lovely
I’d love to know your opinion
would you like to pass from my blog?
<<< fashion blogger Pamela Soluri >>>
I wish you an happy day
kiss
Just popping in to say hi darling:)
Baci,
Coco et La vie en rose – Valeria Arizzi