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Large gold necklace with an ornate pendant at the base plus a wide chain of flat openwork squares with coin-impressed discs soldered along their outer edges
20th century
Object Name: Necklace/ Local Name: Muarah
Period: 20th century
Date: 1900-1999
Provenance: Saudi Arabia
Dimensions: 57.3cmx19.3cmx1.3cm,weight:237.37g
Medium: gold,glass,turquoise
Registration Number: QNM.2012.209.1
Place Of Discovery/Findspot:  Qatar
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Large gold necklace with an ornate pendant at the base plus a wide chain of flat openwork squares with coin-impressed discs soldered along their outer edges.
The (possibly plated) pendant is a solid piece with a central crescent decorated with applied filigree, a large rectangular red glass "gem" at center, and two smaller teardrop-shaped turquoise stones on either side. Above and below the crescent are plain areas with Arabic filigree inscriptions/calligraphy which read as follows: top right: “Work of Abdul Majid”, top left: “Mohamed Essa“, center Lower: “worn with wellness & date 86”.
In the midst of the calligraphy there is a crossed sword under palm tree design. From the bottom of the pendant hang 12 dangles each with a flower with filigree and a punched/repousse teardrop. A thinner chain with hook and loop clasp at top extends the length of the necklace behind the neck. .This piece would have been worn by a bride for the wedding celebrations. Traditional Qatari style. Large, long chain of square pieces with coin-like discs attached to it. Large half-moon pendant decorated with stones and a central red glass stone. Traditional Qatari style. Worn by a bride.
Large long chain made of square pieces, coin like discs attached to it. Large half moon pendant in the middle decorated with three stones: Red glass stone in the middle and turquoise stones on either side. Twelve chains suspended from the bottom of the pendant.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT QATAR
The Qatar Peninsula is surrounded by sea except in the south where it connects with its neighbours from the Arabian Peninsula. For hundreds of years people have shared the land, resources and knowledge inherited from their environment. With no fixed lifestyle in terms of time and place, people moved easily and freely between land and sea for trade, livestock, pearl diving, fishing, and hunting at various times throughout the year. This symbiotic relationship between the people and their environment was represented in the unity of their societies, including the exchange of knowledge, stories and the trading of available goods.

A distinctive characteristic of life on the Qatar Peninsula has long been the close association between the coast and the desert – al barr. Some desert tribes spent several months of the year in coastal cities, setting up semi-permanent residences to participate in pearl diving or fishing. Similarly, coastal residents occasionally moved to al barr during the winter to graze their livestock. This exchange of natural resources and the influence of different environments has contributed to the creation of a unique community.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT - REGION/GULF/WORLD
The presence of British, French and Dutch trading companies in the Gulf from the early 1600s brought uncertainty to the region, with unstable alliances and intense competition over trade routes. As trade flourished, however, the strength of the Arab tribes increased. Many Arab tribes moved from the interior of the Arabian Peninsula to Qatar, and by the 18th and 19th centuries, most of the major towns of the Gulf were founded. Several towns flourished on the Qatari coast, including Huwailah, Khor Hassan, Fuwairat, Ruwaida, Freiha, Al Bidda and Doha. The most notable was Al Zubara which became a hub for the Gulf pearl trade.
PUBLICATIONS AND RESEARCH
Ismael, Najla. gold and pearls in qatari jewelleries [ NMoQ Report]
LOCATE ON QATAR MAP
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