Anklets
Anklets
Fig. 39Anklets: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7.
Ancient Oriental. 3, 4, 8. Modern Oriental
This word does not occur in Scripture, but the ornament which it denotes is clearly indicated by ‘the tinkling (or jingling) ornaments about the feet,’ mentioned in the curious description of female attire which we find in Isaiah 3. Even in the absence of special notice, we might very safely conclude that an ornament to which the Oriental women have always been so partial was not unknown to the Jewish ladies. In Egypt anklets of gold have been found, which are generally in the shape of simple rings, often however in that of snakes, and sometimes inlaid with enamel or even precious stones. The sculptures show that they were worn by men as well as women. Their present use among the women of Arabia and Egypt sufficiently illustrates the Scriptural allusion. The Koran (24:31) forbids women ‘to make a noise with their feet, which, says Mr. Lane, ‘alludes to the practice of knocking together the anklets, which the Arab women in the time of the prophet used to wear, and which are still worn by many women in Egypt.’ The same writer states that ‘Anklets of solid gold and silver, and of the form here sketched (like fig. 39, No. 3), are worn by some ladies, but are more uncommon than they formerly were. They are of course very heavy, and, knocking together as the woman walks, make a ringing noise.’ He thinks that in the text referred to (Isa 3:16) the prophet alludes to this kind of anklet, but admits that the description may apply to another kind, which he describes as ‘Anklets of solid silver, worn by the wives of some of the richer peasants, and of the sheikhs of villages. Small ones of iron are worn by many children. It was also a common custom among the Arabs for girls or young women to wear a string of bells on their feet. I have seen many little girls in Cairo with small round bells attached to their anklets. Perhaps it is to the sound of ornaments of this kind, rather than of the more common anklet, that Isaiah alludes.’ The anklets in use among the Arab women in the country of the Tigris and Euphrates are not usually solid, but hollow, so that, in striking against each other, they emit a much more sharp and sonorous sound than solid ones.