Traditional Yemenite Silver Choker Necklace

This handmade silver choker necklace is a magnificent work of art and is inspired from an early 20th century original ethnic tribal Jewish festivity necklace known as the “ma’nageh”. Worn commonly by Jewish women, this motif has a long history and is found in Pharaonic and African jewelry as well. The end plaques, known as the “tadarif” are decorated with filigree work and granulation common to Yemenite craftsmanship and their geometric design is the focus of attention with a multitude of silver beading alternating with small onyx beads between them.

All of Ben-Zion’s jewelry is handmade from sterling silver. The artist prepares the silver threads himself, interweaving them to the left and to the right in order to achieve that special and unique braided effect. Ben-Zion explains: “My filigree jewelry is made using a very old technique that is disappearing from our world. Creating a masterpiece requires attention to fine details, great imagination and of course, patience.”