Zenaq

NameChin chain

Artist Artist Not Recorded

Datec. 1900

Place madeHistoric Palestine, Middle East or West Asia, Asia

MediumSilver, glass beads, glass stones

Dimensions14 × 6 1/2 in. (35.5 × 16.5 cm)

Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, Gift of Florence Dibell Bartlett, A.1955.1.586 SW

Object numberA.1955.1.586 SW

Collections

DescriptionWith 20 Arabic coins and Christian medal, and 4 glass jewels; Four glass beads as centers to floral rondels-with granules and fine rope decorations. The pendant has a central flower and from each cardinal pont three leaves.

Zenāq (ca. 1900) One of the most common styles of chin chains, the zenaq was used throughout Central Palestine to keep the various hats-ṣmādeh, wuqā, or shaṭweh-firmly on the head. This zenaq consists of a series of metal chains made up of two rows of links, which are in turn attached to three more chains by rosettes and glass beads. The five resulting chains are gathered into a silver loop from which a pendant hangs. The number five may be due to the power of this number against the Evil Eye. Many silver coins are attached to the outer chains. Length: 36.5 cm. (Palestinian Costume and Jewelry, Yedida Kalfon Stillman, 1979 ISBN: 0-82630490-7)