The Palestinian Museum permanent collection

Haydari bracelet

A handcrafted bracelet of pure silver, clasp-less and with eye-like protrusions, worn to indicate that the woman wearing it was breastfeeding. The bracelet has the trademark precision of Jerusalemite silversmith Khalil Salman, and bears his seal, 'Khalil.' His workshop was located in Jerusalem near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. His sons still retain the moulds used, which date back to the early years of the British mandate.

Bracelet

Silver bracelet with round protrusions resembling breasts; the bracelet was worn to indicate that the woman wearing it was breast-feeding. The bracelet is made in the 'tarmeel' method, a local jewellery manufacturing method. At one hinge there is a red bead. The bracelet also has a lock and key with a piece of metal resembling a coin on its upper end.

Qladat hijab necklace

Necklace consisting of a thick chain decorated with red amber beads and silver spheres. It carries an engraved cylindrical silver handcrafted hijab, also known as a khiyara, or an amulet within which would be placed a piece of paper inscribed with prayers or Quranic verses, whose invocation was believed capable of driving evil away or exorcising evil spirits from a possessed person.

Braided Egyptian bracelet

A broad handcrafted bracelet of high-calibre silver consisting of five parts, including two unengraved edges and three braided middle sections, two thin and one thick. The bracelet bears a stamp that determines the quality of silver. It was widespread in the Naqab desert, and its design was influenced by European bracelets.

Necklace

A silver necklace known as 'mshalshal' intertwined with small chains that end with silver pieces in the form of a crescent and openwork leaves. The necklace has some small circular metal pieces, and on the two ends of the necklace are two circles of silver, inlaid with blue beads and a large red bead in the middle. The necklace ends with a chain and a clasp.

Necklace

A traditional silver necklace, adorned with 28 Ottoman and Austrian coins, and ending with a silver chain with a clasp. This necklace was worn throughout several regions of Palestine.

Throw Pillow Covers

A pillowcase from the southern Hebron region, rectangular and made of beige and yellow cotton and linen. It is embroidered with dense tatreez (embroidery) comprised of plant and geometric shapes in the Fallahi (peasant) cross-stitch using orange, fuchsia, yellow, purple, and white silk threads.

Bayt Nabala thobe

A daily work dress (thobe) from the area of Bayt Nabala, Ramla District. It is made of beige linen and embroidered with primarily red silk threads. The chest panel of the thobe is embroidered with a cypress and feather stitch pattern, and in the middle are squares in the shape of rose stitch patterns. As for the shoulders and the back of the chest panel (the upper back neckline), pieces of the Ottoman fabric used in sewing a man’s qumbaz (coat) have been attached to it.