Réservé Irena Rare "Zanzibar" ankle bracelet. Heavy Nizwa anklet - Sultanate of Oman - also worn in Gujarat and on the Swahilli coast

Heavy silver hinged ankle bracelet (Natal / Mutal / Antal / Hijil / Menagiri).

Hollow and tubular with a large rectangular front section. Completely decorated with intricate chiseled and punched designs, including hatched lines, circles, and floral, plant and geometric designs. The ankle bracelet is designed to open from the front and its clasp is locked with 2 solid silver pins decorated with chiseled lines on its head.
It is likely that they were produced by a silversmith in the oasis town of Nizwa - the former "jewelry center" in Oman. However, they are known as "Zanzibar anklets" because the island of Zanzibar, off the East African coast, was ruled, from 1698 to 1861, by the Sultanate of Oman.
There was a lot of trade directly between the west coast of India (Gujarat), the east coast of Africa (Swahilli) and Oman.
According to Avelyn Forster 'It was customary for anklets to be given by a father to his daughter at puberty. The girl would then wear them until her marriage when they formed part of her dowry".

AGE: 19 / early 20th century

MATERIAL: 800 silver purity

SIZE (diameter) : 59 mm (see photos)

WEIGHT: 453 grams

OVERALL CONDITION:
Very good condition, with high quality workmanship.
Excellent wear from age and usage.

REFERENCES:
-Ginzberg, M., African Forms, Skira, 2000.
-Hawley, R., Omani Silver, Longman, 1978.
-Hawley, R., Silver: The Traditional Art of Oman, Stacey International, 2000.
-Rajab, J.S., Silver Jewellery of Oman, Tareq Rajab Museum, 1998.
-Utracht, O., Traditional Jewelry of India, Thames & Hudson, 1997.
-Forster; Disapearing Treasures of Oman; Archway Books; London 1998, page 77
-Cutsem; Bracelets d'Afrique, d'Asie d'Oceanie de la collection Ghysels; Skira Editore; Milano 2002, page 145
-Al-Jadir; Arab and islamic Silver; Stacey International, London 1981, page 120