Mother-of-pearl carving in Bethlehem

Mother-of-pearl carving is a traditional handicraft in Bethlehem, and is said to have been brought to the city by Franciscan friars from Italy in the 15th century.[1]

Model of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, made in Bethlehem, probably late 1600s. In the British Museum
Workers in mother-of-pearl in Bethlehem. Photo taken 1900–1920 by American Colony, Jerusalem.
Mother-of-pearl work from Bethlehem, as seen in a shop in Ramallah, 2012

History

Bethlehem's position as an important Christian city has for centuries attracted a constant stream of pilgrims. This generated much local work and income, also for women, including making mother-of-pearl souvenirs. According to Weir, Bethlehem women's employment in the mother-of-pearl industry goes back at least to the seventeenth century.[2] It was noted by Richard Pococke, who travelled there in 1727.[3]

The first exhibition in the west of mother-of-pearl artifacts from Palestine was at The World Fair in New York in 1852. Two brothers, Giries and Ibrahim Mansur, exhibited their work and were a great success.[4]

Previously, most of the oysters for the mother-of-pearl supply came from the Red Sea. Today, however, Australia, California, New Zealand and Brazil are the main exporters of the mother-of-pearl.[5]

Present day products include crosses, earrings, brooches and picture frames.

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See also

References
  1. Tourist Products, Palestine-family.net
  2. Weir, 1989, pp.128, 280, n.30
  3. A Description of the East and Some other Countries, p. 436
  4. Tourist Products, Palestine-family.net, 23.01.2007, Source:"Bethlehem, The Immortal Town" by Giries Elali
  5. Bethlehem municipality website Archived 2007-11-21 at the Wayback Machine

Bibliography
  • Weir, Shelagh (1989). Palestinian Costume, London: British Museum Publications Ltd. ISBN 0-7141-2517-2. (exhibition catalog)
  • Pococke, Richard (1811): A General Collection of the Best and Most Interesting Voyages and Travels in All Parts of the World: Many of which are Now First Translated Into English, (Popocke starts at p. 406.)
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