VINTAGE MOTHER OF PEARL CLASPS
BETHLEHEM PEARLS

Bethlehem Pearls purchased direct  from Tel Aviv, Israel from a woman whose mom had a business in the 1950's selling religious items.

Mother-of-Pearl carving has been a Bethlehem tradition since the art was introduced to the city by Franciscan friars from Damascus during the 14th century.[1] 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]

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