Bride's Kamea Case from Yemen

This amulet (kamea) was part of the ornament of the Yemenite Jewish bride, worn at the wedding to protect her during this period considered as exposed to harmful influences. It could contain or display divine names and protective formulas. Yemenite Jewish goldsmiths' work, famous for its mastery of filigree and granulation, adorned it with tinkling pendants and engraved cylinders, integrated into the abundant set of silver jewels of the bride. This object illustrates the combination, in Yemenite Jewish material culture, of the protective function and the ornamental richness of bridal adornments.