Journey Around the World: Middle East

Holmes Museum Updated Hours

The Museum is open Fall and Spring semesters, Monday-Friday from 1:00-5:00 or by appointment. During winter break and during the summer, the museum will be open by appointment only. Admission is free but donations are accepted. If you would like to visit or schedule a tour please call 316-978-7068 or email holmes.museum@wichita.edu holmes.museum@wichita.edu.

Middle East

A silver multi-shaped necklace has a crescent pendant with a red gem embedded in the center with bells on either side.

Necklace with bell

Saudi Arabia

Metal, glass, string

Silver jewelry and its creation was once an integral part of Middle Eastern life, especially for women. For example, nomadic Bedouins and village families were the primary customers of the silversmith as pieces were acquired as part of the dowry or mahr. The bride's father would commission the jewelry and the bride would wear the item on her wedding day. For the silversmith, each technique used from filigree, granulation and geometric shapes may express a regional style, an expression of culture. Today, gold jewelry has practically replaced the art of the Middle Eastern silversmith.

Donation from Marian D. Cook

1994.04.018 Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology

White marble octagon with multi-colored inlaid stones and mother of pearl.

Octagon Tile

Agra, India

Marble, stone, mother of pearl

White marble octagon with multi-colored inlaid stones and mother of pearl. Item is made from the same material as the Taj Mahal.

Donation from Marian D. Cook

1994.04.076 Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology

Bracelet is cowry shells and blue beads attached with twine to the dyed red wool band.

Bracelet

Near East (this term encompasses the region of Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, and the Arabian Peninsula)

Shells, beads, wool, twine

Cowry shells and blue beads bracelet attached with twine to dyed red sheep's wool band. The cowry shell, while decorative, was once used as currency as early as the 13th century B.C. in Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

1968.03.010 Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology

Black stonss carved into the shape of a human male face.

Stone Ornament

Mesopotamia (the present region of Iraq, parts of Iran, Syria and Turkey)

Stone/volcanic glass

Dark blue stone or volcanic glass carved into the shape of a bearded male face who appears to be wearing a crown.

Donation from the Wichita Center for the Arts

1996.09.028 and 1996.09.029 Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology

Braided yarm horse headgear has woven in shells and beads to form a star-shaped design on the side. In the center is a shell and bead pendant in the shape of a teardrop.

Bridle

Near East (this term encompasses the region of Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, and the Arabian Peninsula)

Yarn

Mule bridle made of braided reddish-brown yarn and decorated with small shells and blue beads.

1968.03.072 Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology

Metal geometric engraved soap box with handle and lock latch.

Soap Box

Damascus, Syria

Copper

Bronze, copper soap box with handle and a lock latch with geometric engraving. This item is used to transport soap, a comb and other washing materials. Soap boxes are both functional and decorative items for women visiting hammams, or public baths.

Donation from Marian D. Cook

1994.04.023 Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology

Copper bowl in the shape of a boat with a fine floral stencil design.