Ethnic Design Collection Reto Zehnder

It is also called a purse. The cover has 5 gems. the number five has special significance in Islam, as they are five pillars of the faith. The item is only the cover the back of the boyx has been lost.

Small hirz box with 3 large glass beads and 3 dangles.

The pendant may have originally been used as a head dress ornament. It is decorated with some gold  gilded plates and 2 times 6 dangles with small hamsa amulets.

Large triangular pendant from Yemen. Nice  granulated silver work. Bangels with ftwelve bangles and small bells 

Triangular pendant from Yemen. It is mounted on a chain and can be worn as necklace like that or used in your own jewellerie design.

A nice Omani silver disk pendant. To be worn as such or used for your design in jewelry making.

Thorny trees and bushes are common in both Mountain and desert areas of Oman. A set of instruments to extract thorns from feet, sandals or the soft pads of animal feets are essentials to Bedouin in Oman. Men carry them in their belt or sometimes in their hair wraps.

Nice small antique Hirz box with a very nice shiny patina. This box has probably be worn as such, on a small chain, even so it may initially be part of a hirz as-sadr necklace from Dhofar region, South Oman or Yemeni Wadi Hadramout.

Typical medium size Yemen silver amulet also called q'tub or what we would call a prayer cylinder. Smooth surfaced cylinder with dainty "dangles" hang from 4 loops on the bottom edge of the cylinder. The cylinder is completly closed.

This small Yemeni Hirz prayer cylinder is also called Q'tubis. The Koranic text was removed as they are specific to the owner of the box. 

Beautiful Yemen silver beads with the characteristic "Dot Design", comprised of many tiny silver dots that have been hand applied to each bead.  One bead has nice applied repouss decorationThese beads were made by Jewish silversmiths living in Yemen before World War II. 

This large and beautiful Yemeni Hirz prayer cylinder, also called Q'tubis, is a cylinder shaped pendant with extrordinary silver work. The pendant is in excellent condition. The Koranic text was removed as they are specific to the owner of the box. This amulet box is one of finest in our collection.

Beautiful medallion with fine silver work

This large and heavy Yemeni Hirz prayer cylinder, called also Q'tubis is a cylinder shaped pendant amulet, collected from Yemen in the 1970ties. The pendant is in excellent condition. The Koranic text was removed as they are specific to the owner of the box. A small silver plate added bears the signature of the silversmith.

Rectangular pendant from Yemen. Nice filigreed and granulated silver work.

Triangular pendant from Yemen. Very fine filigreed and granulated silver work. Bangels with 8 small hands of Fatima
 

Triangular pendant from Yemen. Nice filigreed and granulated silver work. Bangels with four small bells and a hand of Fatima

Triangular pendant from Yemen. Fine filigreed and granulated silver work. Bangels with four 8 small bells.

Rectangular filigreed and granulated hirz box with 6 bangels.

Rectangular filigreed and granulated hirz box with 6 bangels.

Silver plate with engravings and two buckles on top and on bottom. To be used for your individual jewellery design

An old Yemenite silver amulet called "hirz" used to keep some Koranic verses inside. This sort of pendant is widespread in Oman, Yemen and the Arabic peninsula. Although it does not open, the amulets was deliberately crafted to be hollow, intended for storing and amplifying the precious prayers, wishes, and secrets of the wearer. 

The Maria Theresa thaler (MTT)  has been used in world trade continuously since it was first minted in 1741. It is named after Maria Theresa who ruled Austria  and Hungary  from 1740 to 1780 and is depicted on the coin. The thaler is 39.5–41 mm in diameter and 2.5 mm thick, weighs 28.0668 grams and contains 23.3890 grams  of fine silver. It has a silver content of .833 and a copper content of .166 of its total millesimal fineness.

A set of 5  triangular ends with a tear-drop shaped hook to attach them to the head cloth. Ideal for jewelery making or as independant pendant.

The piece consists of two decorated triangular ends with a tear -drop shaped hook to attach them to the head cloth. On one triangle there is a missing applique (see picture).

These silver elements are probably part of chin chain or a headdress.