Ethnographic antique. Yemen coin-silver signed globe ‘dugag’ beads. PROVENANCE

A beautiful strand comprising eight signed coin-silver globe ‘dugag’ beads, all by the same maker. Usually attributed to the Yemen capital Sanaa. Made from ‘coin-silver’ - melted down silver coins, particularly Maria Theresa thalers. Each bead has granulation work and applied wheat/barley repousse ‘scale’ decoration. These are interspersed with granulated ‘tut’ wheel, or mulberry, beads, one of which is signed (see photographs). Each globe bead has a suspension loop for dangling pendants or coral beads. Each end has a four sided terminal bead.  These beads are uniquely Yemeni and made by Jewish silversmiths. This is a rather unique opportunity to acquire a group of beads by the same maker, either for wearing or to reassemble something more lavish. Date to 1900-1945.

Provenance: Ex. Romy Rey Collection.
Romy Rey (1938-2020) was born in Zurich, Switzerland. She trained as an artist in Paris and Geneva before settling in London in the early 1960s where she was a partner in two bookshops in Hampstead and Richmond. She shared her life with the artist, Brian Davies (1942-2014). The whole of her five-storey house in Richmond bustled with her “impeccably curated” collection of ethnographic art. Purchased at one of the disposal auctions

References;
‘Silver Treasures from the land of Sheba, Regional Yemeni Jewelry’ - Marjorie Ransom, published by AUC Press, 2014.

Dimensions:
Bead dimensions: 42mm diameter (excludes suspension loop) x 48mm long
‘Tut’ wheel beads: 18mm diameter x 13mm long
Strand length: 56cm
Weight: 250gms

Condition: Lovely cleaned appearance. The signatures are very clear. Could be worn. W1142/1