Baghdad: Silversmiths
Date: 1932
Yuhanna Nashmi provides a photograph, dated 12 October 1932, of a Mandaean silversmith in his workshop in Baghdad. See also: Goldsmith; Jeweller; Copper Engraver; Copper Beater.
Citation: Yuhanna Nashmi, “Resonances: Objects, lives, stories of Liverpool,” Liverpool Regional Museum. Exhibition pamphlet issued in c. 2016. https://www.mandaeanunion.com/images/MAU/History/Liverpol%20museum_The%20mandaeans.pdf (last consulted: 15 January 2022).
Date: early to mid twentieth century
Yuhanna Nashmi notes that silverwork decorated with niello made by Mandaean silversmiths in Baghdad was commonly called “work of Amara.” This indicates the place where many of these artisans originated. See also: Goldsmith; Jeweller; Copper Engraver; Copper Beater.
Citation: Yuhanna Nashmi, “Resonances: Objects, lives, stories of Liverpool,” Liverpool Regional Museum. Exhibition pamphlet issued in c. 2016. https://www.mandaeanunion.com/images/MAU/History/Liverpol%20museum_The%20mandaeans.pdf (last consulted: 15 January 2022).
Date: 1951-58
According to Wilfred Thesiger (d. 2003), Baghdad was one of the centres for Sabaean communities, along with Basra, Suq al-Shuyuk, and Amara. He notes that they were famous as silverworkers in these places. See also: Goldsmith; Inlayer; Brassworker; Jeweller.
Citation: Wilfred Thesiger, The Marsh Arabs (London: The Folio Society, 2004. First edition: London: Longman, 1964), p. 105.
Date: 1960
Yuhanna Nashmi provides a photograph, taken by J. Al’ani in 1960, of a famous Mandaean silversmith, Thamin Hwezawie, in his workshop in Baghdad. He also applied niello as a decorative media, as shown by a decorated ashtray with scenes of the Iraqi marshlands. See also: Goldsmith; Jeweller; Copper Engraver; Copper Beater.
Citation: Yuhanna Nashmi, “Resonances: Objects, lives, stories of Liverpool,” Liverpool Regional Museum. Exhibition pamphlet issued in c. 2016. https://www.mandaeanunion.com/images/MAU/History/Liverpol%20museum_The%20mandaeans.pdf (last consulted: 15 January 2022).
Date: before 2015
Yuhanna Nashmi notes that River Street in Baghdad was the centre for Mandaean silversmithing. The silvermiths of this street had migrated to the Iraqi capital from Amara and other sites in southern Iraq. Many pieces are decorated in niello with scenes of the marshlands and was commonly called “work of Suba” (referring to the Sabiʾa or Mandaeans) or “work of Amara.” See also: Goldsmith; Jeweller; Copper Engraver; Copper Beater.
Citation: Yuhanna Nashmi, “Resonances: Objects, lives, stories of Liverpool,” Liverpool Regional Museum. Exhibition pamphlet issued in c. 2016. https://www.mandaeanunion.com/images/MAU/History/Liverpol%20museum_The%20mandaeans.pdf (last consulted: 15 January 2022).