Diadem and Dagger: Jewish Silversmiths of Yemen

October 27, 2012 - January 21, 2013 | 10:00am - 5:00pm

The Walters Art Museum
600 N. Charles Street
Baltimore
MD, 21201

Website

This focus show of approximately 25 objects introduces Yemeni-Jewish silverwork from the Zucker Family Trust collection. The rarely exhibited pieces dating to the 17th–19th century are inscribed in Hebrew and Arabic and reference the Muslim ruler and Jewish craftsman. Biblical tradition celebrates ties between the Arabian kingdom and Israel from the time of Queen Sheba and King Solomon, and it is known that Jews resided in Yemen since the time of Nebuchadnezzar’s siege of Jerusalem in the 580s B.C. From the inception of Islam in the seventh century, Jewish and Muslim communities co-existed in Yemen, although few Jews live there today. Yemeni-Jewish craftsmen produced beautiful silver pieces characterized by elaborate granulation and filigree decoration for Muslim and Jew alike. This exhibition explores the significant role and superb craftsmanship of the Jewish silversmith in the Arab world.

• 
  
• Map It
• Add to Suitcase
• Email It
• Add to iCal