Ethnic Jewelry is popular both with local residents and visitors to the Middle East. For those more aware of their qualities, such items represent both a visible tie to the past as well as a link to more imaginative conceptions of the "Orient" as projected by the media and Western artistic expression.

This special report is designed to encourage an understanding and appreciation of the quality and importance of ethnic Jewelry in the Middle East. Much of what was once available is now lost. More needs to be done to document and study what remains. In this way, we hope to preserve an important element in the cultural heritage of the area and to encourage the revival of an important cultural tradition.

Items pictured here was produced and worn primarily between the late 19th and mid 20th Century. Its form and decoration often derive from much earlier periods and has been passed along and adapted from one generation and one civilization to another.

Given the antiquity of the region and its rich cultural heritage - Pharonic, Greco-Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, Persian, Ottoman, and European styles has all contributed to this process. In some cases, similar or identical items continue to be produced and worn both within its original cultural context as well as by outsiders - local elite and international visitors. In this way it continues the historical process of cultural evolution, transfer and adaptation.

The pieces illustrated here represents merely a fraction of the rich variety produced. It gives a sense of the diversity and tradition inherent in this venerable craft. Its intrinsic artistic and cultural appeal is apparent when either displayed or worn.

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Armlets/Bangles from the Arabian Peninsula	Large hollow anklets from Egypt/Sudan	Amulet disk (hijab) from Egypt	Charm case (hijab) from Jordan
Hinged anklet (natal) from Oman	Gold earrings from Syria	Large pendant (tashsbat) from Egypt	Gilt silver necklace from Yemen
Gold 14 carat earrings (dandish) from Egypt	Large solid silver alloy anklets from Egypt	Pendant necklace (hijab/hirz) from Oman	Two large fish pendants from Egypt
Broad bracelet from North Africa coast, Egypt	Heavy choker (kirdan) from Palestine	Amulet with multiple symbols from Palestine	Silver and coral necklace from Egypt