Name of Object:

Four anklets

Name in original language:

Khelkhal

Location:

`Ayn Najm, Lebanon

Holding Institution:

Lebanese Heritage Museum

 About The Lebanese University, `Ayn Najm

Date of Object:

19th century

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Silver

Provenance:

Turkey

Description:

Ankle bracelets - or "anklets" - were common accessories in various regions of the ancient Middle East. They were first worn by ancient Egyptian women, and were made of materials such as brass, gold, silver, iron, glass, or ivory. The Hebrew word for "ankle chain" and "step chains" both come from the root tsa'adh', meaning "to take steps; to march". The Hebrew word e'khes, meaning "bangle; anklet" comes from the root akhas, meaning "to make a tinkling sound" or "shaking bangles". Indeed, many anklets were adorned with small bells and heavier anklets would have made a loud tinkling or ringing noise as the wearer walked along. These bells were usually fashioned by placing a small pebble in hollowed silver spheres. It is possible that heavier anklets would have been designed to restrict the woman's step, thus forcing her to walk slowly in a style perceived as feminine, or to attract attention as she walked. The anklets pictured here are made of silver and are adorned with small dangling silver bells.

Citation of this web page:

Marie Therese Moujabber "Four anklets" in "Sharing History", Museum With No Frontiers, 2024. https://sharinghistory.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;AWE;lb;33;en

Prepared by: Marie Therese Moujabber
Copyedited by: Flaminia Baldwin

MWNF Working Number: LB 044