Handmade Dark tan leather belt with Antique Yemeni bead set with British East African Coin and silver belt buckle clasp.
This handmade leather belt features an antique Yemeni silver ornament, carefully preserved from a much larger traditional silver belt. At its centre sits an old British East African one-cent copper coin, bringing another layer of regional history and warm contrast to the aged silver.
Historically, Yemeni silver belts were substantial, highly decorative pieces worn for weddings, celebrations and other important occasions. Their weight and elaborate construction made them visible expressions of family wealth and fine craftsmanship. Many were later dismantled or melted down so that the valuable silver could be reused, making surviving elements increasingly difficult to find.
The antique focal piece displays intricate handworked detailing, shaped and decorated by artisans rather than produced by machine. The copper coin at its centre once circulated as everyday currency in British East Africa; now, preserved within the silver ornament, it becomes part of a new story connecting Yemen and East Africa.
Rather than allowing these historic elements to disappear, SuhaniMara has upcycled them onto a handmade leather belt, transforming part of a once-heavy ceremonial ornament into something contemporary and easy to wear.
Bold, historical and entirely individual, this piece brings together Yemeni craftsmanship, East African history and modern design.
