Rare Vintage Silver Yemeni Belt with Blue Lining

Extremely rare vintage Yemeni silver belt with dome clasp and blue silk velvet lining, circa the 1930s or 40s.

This beautiful and feminine belt probably originates in Hadramaut. It has 35 panels all connected by a cord lined with blue velvet that runs through hoops at the back of each panel. This intricate and delicate belt ends in a hook and loop clasp decorated with two granulated domes. The style of the buckle is similar to that seen in Indian jewelry. This is not surprising as India is just across the sea from Yemen and trade influenced the styles of jewelry.

The belt tests as silver. There is a similar belt held in the British Museum's Ingrams collection (2012,6030.36)

Dimensions:

• Wearable length 87 cm or 34 1/4 inches.
• The buckle measures 4 cm or 1 3/4 inches in length and 1.5 cm or 5/8 inches in width.
• Panel width 8 mm or 5/16 inches.
• Panel length is 2.4 cm or just under 1 inch.
• Weight is 120 g.

The belt is in good condition with a lovely patina The padding is worn in places and there is a red cotton thread at both ends securing the lining.

For more Bedouin jewelry visit the Bedouin Jewelry Section.