Gold Bracelet, Islamic, possibly Fatimid Syria, 10th-13th Century A.D., Gold, D: 6.8cm, H: 6.8cm © David Aaron

This Islamic bracelet has an unusual, simple beauty. It exemplifies early Islamic taste for gold, and for the aniconic relationship between precious metal and geometric ornament.[1] It has a circular band in a torc design, open at the top. The two terminals are delicately shaped, widening from the slender stem of the band to two flat circular nodes. On the uppermost rim a pattern is carved, composed of diagonal lines and dots. The pattern is continued on the shoulders. On the circular face of both terminals are symmetrical motifs – an incised cross with a dot between each arm.

A comparable bracelet dating from the 12^th century can be found in the British Museum.[2] It is similarly torc-shaped, with little decoration but for a raised element at the apex. A bracelet from Fatimid Egypt, now in the collection of the Museum of Islamic Art, Qatar also employs an open-ended torc shape, fashioned from gold.[3] The minimal, lightweight design of this piece lend it great versatility, it could easily grace a modern wrist.