During the 1800s and early 1900s, brides in the villages of the Hebron hills wore a ceremonial headdress called a ‘wuqayat al-darahim’ (‘money hat’), With densely-packed rows of Ottoman coins and numerous beads, charms and pendants. Because the “money hat” was very costly, most brides could probably not afford to buy one, and the headdresses were not produced in large quantities.The “Money hat” was exclusively worn on the wedding day. On occasion, less wealthier brides could borrow or rent the hat.
Women from Bethlehem made this type of headdress and sold it in Hebron and the surrounding villages.
Cotton silver Ottoman coins, coral, glass beads, cowries and phenolic resin.
Age: beginning of the 20th century.
Provenance: European private collection.
Dimensions: 48 x 17 x 17 cm. The chains on each side of the headdress are longer.
A similar example is at the British Museum in London.
Literature:
“Bijoux historiques au Musée d’Israel”, Gonen, Rivka, Musée d’Israel, 1997, p.60
“crown of coins. Traditional Headdresses of Arab and Bedouin women”, Eretz Israel Museum, Tel Aviv, 2002
“Traditional Palestinian Embroidery and Jewelry”, Al-Samih Abu Omar, Abed, Arab Press, Jerusalem, 1987, p. 50
“The power of headdresses”, Biebuyck D. &Van de Abbele, Leopold II Foundation, 1984, p. 139
“Jewelry from the Orient (Bir Collection)”, Seiwert, Wolf Dieter, Arnoldsche, 2009, p.300-1
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