This display explores the stories of three women who are helping to revive the longstanding tradition of silversmithing in Oman.

The beautiful work of Tuful Ramadan (1949–2021), Mahfoudha al-Balushi (b. 1956) and Fatma al Najjar (b. 1992) is showcased through objects on display – and their inspirational personal testimonies highlight their knowledge and technical skills, as well as their dedication to their profession in a region where silversmithing is usually done by men.

The display presents the results of fieldwork carried out from 2019–22 as part of an ongoing, all-women research project launched by the British Museum in collaboration with scholars from Oman, Canada and the United States. The interviews with Ramadan, al-Balushi and al-Najjar – and examples of their handcrafted jewellery – are complemented by scientific analysis, conducted at the British Museum, using a digital microscope and scanning electron microscope to present close-up images of the pieces. These images reveal the variety of production techniques, tools and skills used by the women to create their intricate designs, furthering our understanding of Oman's silversmithing heritage.

In this talk, the research team Dr Zeina Klink-Hoppe, Project Curator for the Modern Middle East, Scientist Dr Aude Mongiatti, Dr Fahmida Suleman, Mouza Sulaiman Al-Wardi and scholar Marcia Stegath Dorr will draw out different aspects of the project.

More information about the display can be found here:
https://www.britishmuseum.org/exhibit...

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Image credit: Photo of Tuful Ramadan brushing handcrafted silver chain, Oman, 1990s. © HH Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said. Photo © Neil Richardson and Marcia Dorr.