Moroccan artisan damaskina bracelet with a continuous inlaid silver vine pattern. This is an amazing piece of jewelry most likely made in Meknes, the only city left in Morocco to continue this centuries-old craftsmanship.
In damaskina, a maalam (master craftsman) uses a a special knife to cut freeform patterns into an iron object (vessels, dishes, swords, jewelry). Silver thread is carefully inlaid into the patterns with a tiny hammer. Once this is complete, the object is sent to the furnace to melt the silver and darken the metal. After a polish, the silver shines beautifully against the dark background.
Damaskina, or ‘Damascene', is known throughout the Middle East, and travelled East from Syria into India, and west into Spain and the Maghreb (Northwest Africa). With generous help, I have learned this bracelet is most likely made for export as part of a revival of the craft by a few ateliers in Meknes.
The base material is iron or steel. It's heavy and strongly magnetic. The inlaid vine pattern tests positive order for silver. Inner diameter is 2 5/8 inches. Inner circumference is 8 1/4 inches and the width is 3/4 of an inch.
CARE: The silver will likely tarnish over time, and can be brightened with a dry silver polishing cloth. Avoid a paste or liquid polish, which can cause the iron/steel to rust. According to a contact in Morocco who works with these artisans, the surface can be protected after polishing by rubbing some olive oil over it. A thin coat of microcrystalline wax can also be used to protect the silver from tarnish and the iron from rusting. I have applied Renaissance Wax to it while in my care.
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Product code: Vintage Meknes Morocco order Damaskina Bracelet, Berber North African Damaskina Bracelet