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According to reports, approximately 3.5 million individuals were estimated to comprise the population of the Mandaean people in what is presently the southern region of Iraq and Iran, four centuries ago.
Similar to other nations, the populace participated in a diverse array of vocations, encompassing roles such as religious clergy, agriculturalists, craftsmen, scientists, fishers, woodworkers, jewelers, and various other specialized occupations.
Between 1900 and the late 1950s, the Mandaean community predominantly engaged in the jewelry and carpentry trades. The proliferation of educational opportunities in this locality commenced circa 1920, with a substantial proportion of the youth population being registered in educational institutions and availing themselves of scholarship programs. A significant proportion of the Mandaeans were completing their education and pursuing careers in various fields such as medicine, engineering, nursing, education, military service, and other professional occupations. Commencing from the 1960s, preeminent musicians, writers, and artists surfaced. Between 1900 and 1940, the fields of jewelry making and silversmithing were prominently represented within the professional landscape, with a notable increase in prevalence following the initiation of the Jewish exodus from Iraq in 1948.
At present, the Mandaean community has assumed the aforementioned roles of goldsmiths and jewelers, which have been retained in various regions of the globe, including Iran and Iraq. The Mandaeans, despite their relatively small population of 60-70 thousand, exhibit a notable concentration of individuals with advanced academic credentials, including doctorates, master’s degrees, and theological scholarships. Moreover, a significant proportion of Mandaeans hold prominent positions ranging from dean to head of institution at various universities worldwide. Across all categories, the occupational majority is held by doctors, jewelers, and businesspeople.
Carpentry
The Mandaean community inhabited a rectangular region situated in the southern part of Iraq, adjacent to Iran. The area was demarcated by the cities of Amara, Nasiriyah, Basra, and Ahvaz, which currently fall within the modern borders of Iran. The region under consideration encompasses a vast expanse of marshlands and is characterized by the presence of three prominent rivers, namely the Tigris, Euphrates, and Karun rivers. Additionally, the Shat Arab is also a notable river that converges with the aforementioned three rivers at a particular point. The delineation of the borders between Iraq and Iran was initially established in 1937, following a period of dispute spanning from 1920 to 1937. During that period, individuals were able to move about without restriction. During the 19th century, a significant portion of the Mandaean community engaged in the commerce of timber and carpentry, with a particular focus on the production of boats for Arab Marshes and fishermen, as well as the crafting of various wooden furnishings. During the period spanning from 1900 to 1930, the Mandaean community began to engage in the craft of silversmithing and subsequently entered the trade.
Craftsmen
Silversmith & collecting of Niello silver work
Niello silver, also known as Marsh Arabs Silver, is the main type of silver produced in Iraq during the first half of the 20th century by the Sabean-Mandaean population in Omarah, Basrah, and Baghdad.
Tourists, military people, and British expats all loved the Niello silver. Many different products were produced and are available all around the world.
Silver of a high purity is needed to complete the niello process, which involves engraving a pattern and filling it with a particular combination of often Sulphur, copper, silver, and lead before polishing it to a high sheen.
Silver artefacts originating from Iraq.
Napkin rings and cigarette cases are the predominant articles crafted from Iraqi silver. Additionally, dressing table boxes, posy vases, cruets and tea and coffee wares with trays are also produced, with the latter being highly coveted. The niello ornamentation exhibits a diverse array of patterns, frequently emphasizing prominent Iraqi edifices, such as the Tomb of Ezra or the Taq Kasra (Ruins of Ctesiphon).
Apart from renowned architectural structures, numerous customary river vistas portraying diverse types of boats, such as the Gufa (Round Boat), a circular coracle made of basketwork, coated with bitumen that is exclusive to Iraq, can be observed on the Tigris-Euphrates River system. Typically, the landscape is characterized by the presence of camels and palm trees, and on occasion, there may be sightings of boar or livestock.
Identification of Iraqi niello silver
The Iraqi niello silver lacks formal markings, with import marks from other countries being a rare occurrence. Therefore, the precise dating of these pieces is dependent on known dated examples, which span from 1915 to 1970.
In contrast to the common practice in various countries, such as among the Baghdadi Jewish silversmiths, who utilize a system of punches to indicate the manufacturer, numerous instances of Iraqi niello silver were inscribed in Arabic with niello by the workshop(s) accountable for crafting the items. Numerous signatures can be identified, varying in clarity and prominence. The most extensive compilation of these signatures is presented in Mohammed Al Baghdadi’s publication, History of Iraqi Silver (2017).
The autographs that are most renowned and esteemed are those belonging to Zahroon and Onaisi. Zahroon, a name of great repute, was among the niello makers who
operated in Omarah. However, the individual later relocated to Basrah. Similarly, Onaisi, another skilled artisan, transitioned from being a silversmith in Omarah to serving the Royal family of Iraqi in Baghdad. The occurrence of collaborative working procedures is evidenced by the amalgamation of signatures, while the Marsh Arab’s work on Jewish silver from Baghdad is a rare occurrence. The presence or absence of signatures on artwork does not necessarily indicate the quality of the piece. While some unsigned works may exhibit exceptional craftsmanship, signatures can be found on pieces ranging from subpar to masterful in quality.
Over the past decade, there has been a notable increase in the prices of various types of Mandaean niello silver. For those seeking an affordable option, serviette rings are recommended, with typical examples ranging from £15-30 GBP each. However, stirrup-shaped examples that are signed by Zahroon are considered rarer and more desirable, and can fetch prices exceeding £100GBP each.
Iraqi silver cigarette cases present a viable avenue for collectors. A rudimentary niello-adorned unsigned specimen may fetch a price range of £100-150 GBP, while a more intricately crafted signed piece featuring a distinctive scene may command up to £500 GBP. The most exquisite specimens would be those embellished with niello and bearing the signature of top artist, commanding a price exceeding £2000 GBP.
The most exceptional specimens of Iraqi niello silver are those that feature bespoke niello scenes, which deviate from the typical depictions of specific ships, aircrafts, maps, and even English cottages. Tea and coffee vessels, particularly those bearing the signatures of prominent individuals, are likely to attract significant interest. At present, a standard three-piece tea set typically commands a price of approximately £1000 GBP at auction. However, the value of an item is further enhanced when its provenance is inscribed upon it through the use of niello, along with a dated inscription linking it to a known individual.
Undoubtedly, the domain of Iraqi nielloware is poised to expand as the recognition of the signatures and the spectrum of excellence in niello craftsmanship gains greater prominence.
Under Construction
3- Professional
4- Artisans
5- Famous personalities
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