SECRETS IN SILVER

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 November 1931, Page 6

SECRETS IN SILVER

AN ANCIENT HANDICRAFT. On the River Tigris, just north of “The Narrows,” some four days’ jourririy by river steamea from Basrah and the head of the Persian Gulf, lies the picturesque Arab township of Amara. It was here, in the northernmost part of the town, I discovered some years ago the remnants of a race of peculiar people whose history goes back to the far dim distant ages (writes Major H. Sandford Morgan D.C.M., in the “Sydney Morning Herald”). The Arabs call them “Subbis,” but they name themselves “Mandai.”

I had long heard of, and been interested in, these strange people, principally because I had seen the Bagdad and Basrah specimens of almost attractive and artistic silver work, which I was informed was only manufactured by the “Subbi” silversmihts of Amara, who were said to jealously guard the secret processes used in its production. It was therefore with great pleasure that, after receiving directions which

led me to the “Subbi” quarter, and on. entering a dark and narrow street, I saw a blackboard hanging beside a “hole in the wall” sort of shop, bearing the following sign:—ZT John Baptiz. Zilver Zmith of Amara. Inside, a man was bent over his work in the narrow space, a small charcoal fire on the floor beside him; set glowing from time to time by a small boy squeezing a goatskin bellows. The man raised his head and greeted me in a soft voice, and I saw a face with features fine and regular, black eyes, soft and distant, long white silky beard, the whole set off by a very white clear skin. I was in the presence of a celebrity, Zahroun, the most renowned, of all the silversmiths, whose work in the original, and bearing his magic signature, is prized by royalty. I asked to be allowed to see some of his work, and was courteously handed a finely-shaped small silver coffee pot (in the Arab fashion). It was curiously inlaid with black pictures in outline on its surface. Here a River Tigris boat in full sail, here a mosque, there palm trees and camels each picture a perfect artistic gem. I asked the price, and was politely told that “Zahroun does not now work for gain, he has pleasure only in his art.” I was shocked, for I very much desired to own an original “Bahroun,” but no price nor &persuasion availed, and I was turning away sadly when the kind black eves twinkled t and the soft voice said: “If you can bring me a pattern of something in metal which. I do not know the use of, and it is small, I will make you a copy and sign my work ” I went slowly back to my launch on the river, and during tiffin made a carefully thought Out list of everything small, and in metal, from cigarette cases to nut crackers, among gy possesslohs,, only to come Very reluctantly to the conclusion that their

use would be obvious to the patriarchal Zahroun, even if he hd never seen them before. THE UNKNOWN OBJECTRacking my brains, I stood up in the tiny lunnch cabin, thus bringing my, eyes on a level with the shelf holding my shaving kit—razor, lather brush, mirror, and round tin containing a stick of shaving soap. As my eyes rested’’on the last-named, nickelopiate shining in the sunlight reflected from the water, inspiration came, and I said to myself : “I’ll /bet the old chap will not know what that is used for.” It was but a few moments’ remove the stick of soap, carefully wash and polish its container, and make my way again through the town to disturb Zahround’s siesta. I presented myself, handed him the box, and anxiously waited. He gave it a very careful examination indeed, even to smelling it al over, then looked up at mo and said: “Ma ’aruf. I know it not.” I smiled at him with great joy, for I had won. He kept our bargain, but it was oyer two months before I actually became . the proud possessor of my. silver Amara-made shaving soap box.

Zahroun would not accept payment, but, like many another artis|, he was fond of looking on the wine when it was red. I discovered this, and hastened the completion of my “piece” by the promise of a case of whisky, which was duly delivered. Among the many remains of various races resident in Arabia, the Subbis have been accepted by Moslems, who, consider them to be “Sabaeans,” “people of the book,” mentioned in the Koran and therefore worshippers of the true God. The Subbis call themselves “Christians of St. John,” and live apart, seldom intermarrying with other races or faiths. They have their own language and script, and all indulge in a daily baptism, which makes it absolutely essential for then! to live near running water.

The saint whoni they worship is called Yahya, known to us as St. John the Baptist, but the Subbis say that John was only following out their custom when he inculcated baptism. It is interesting to conclude this snort article about a peculiar people and their ancient silver work, to relate that His Highness the Prince of Wales prizes very highly a cigarette case decorated by Zahroun himself and sent to the Prince when he was returning home from a visit to India. The shaving soap box was beaten out of two small blocks of silver under low heat, then most painstafci - ancl artistic£ illy engraved arid filled in with antimony, the whole being smooth and perfect, as the work of a great artist should be.