Silver - Bracelet - RARO Musammat Bracelet

Bracelet named Musammat, originating from the Tihama region, Yemen

Material: High-quality silver
Weight: 351 g
Internal diameter: about 7.5 cm
Total diameter: about 9.5 cm

The bracelet is adorned with equidistant globular projections, each fastened by a ribbed collar, creating a rhythmic sequence along the circumference. At its base, a large circular medallion is applied, composed of concentric pearled edges that enclose rays and a central domed element. The surface is enlivened by fine punch-work and subtle texture variations, which give liveliness to the otherwise monochromatic background.

This bracelet was worn high on the forearm or at the wrist, often as part of wedding or festive attire, where its weight and volume signified prosperity and family status. Both in Central Asian and Yemeni tradition, heavy silver jewelry served not only as ornament but as a symbol of portable wealth, embodying both aesthetic and economic value.
Bold reliefs and groups of beads on the bracelet would capture and reflect light in motion, animating the wearer with flashes of brilliance.

The formal language – domed reliefs, concentric beads, and sturdy rings – draws inspiration from ancient regional metalworking traditions, in which silver was preferred for its symbolic associations with purity and protection. The radiant medallions evoke solar images, while the proliferation of spherical elements conveys abundance and fertility, themes deeply rooted in the ceremonial use of jewelry in these cultures.
With monumental dimensions and unmistakable tangible presence, this rare bracelet exemplifies the enduring vitality of 20th-century jewelry making in Central Asia and Yemen, combining sculptural form with the expressive language of traditional adornment.

A similar bracelet is published in "A World of Bracelets. Africa, Asia, Oceania, America" by Anne Van Cutsem