| Egyptian Journal of Archeological and Restoration Studies

Authors:
Al-Ismaili, A.
Art Education dept., College of Education, Sultan Qaboos Univ., Muscat, Oman

Abstract:
This study examines the subjective value of traditional Omani silver jewelry among Bedouin women in North and South A’Sharqiyah, highlighting meanings that extend beyond material worth. Although previous research has focused primarily on the objective, market-oriented appraisal of Omani silverwork, the lived experiences and emotional, spiritual, and social atta-chments that shape women’s relationships with their jewelry remain largely undocumented. using a social ethnographic approach, this research draws on fieldwork conducted in 2015, including participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and photo-elicitation with sixteen Bedouin informants. The findings indicate that traditional jewelry functions as an embodied archive, carrying memories, identities, and artisanal knowledge. Participants articulated a range of subjective values—such as healing, protection, scent, weight, and narrative attachment—reflecting the role of jewelry within social relations and local cultural practices. The study also identifies prevalent misrepresentations of Omani jewelry in museum displays and media pho-tography, underscoring the importance of culturally informed documentation. By centering Bedouin women’s voices, this research contributes an original perspective to the study of Omani material culture and intangible heritage. It argues for rethinking appraisal practices to include historical, cultural, and affective dimensions, offering insights relevant to heritage preservation efforts in an increasingly globalized context.

Keywords:
Omani silver jewelry Bedouin women Subjective value Intangible cultural heritage Material culture Ethnographic research

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