Yemeni society had a creative tradition and is known for its craftsmanship. In particular, it is famous for its traditional Jewish silver jewellery. There used to be a large Jewish community in the country, but after Israel was founded in 1948, many left, taking their skills with them. Some did pass on their skills to Yemenis, but there has been a further decline in the making of silver jewellery in recent years. Gold has over taken it in popularity, and traditional jewellery is now only really worn on special occasions, such as weddings and religious festivals. However, there are some silversmiths still keeping this craft alive in Yemen and, before the recent troubles in the country some started, making items for the tourist market. The image of the silver dagger broach is an example of an item made for the tourist market in the 1990s.
Modern South Arabian Material Culture 