Hi Iain,
I am afraid - arenīt you developing a taste for Ethiopia ? (BTW - If you are in Prague this Saturday, Ethiopians celebrate theit Christmas in Technical Library)
The history of the country is very rich and interesting, including the history of military affairs. As far as the interaction with the Arab Peninsula is concerned, maybe it is irrelevant in connection with filigree - but this history of close interaction began thousands years ago - during the ancient times of the Land of Sheba, when, allegedly (I should study a liitle bit more), Yemen and Abyssinian territories were culturally homogenous (maybe also during Aksum Kingdom). And at that old times, the Horn of Africa was settled in two big waves from Arab peninsula, and the "newcomers" mixed with old residents.
Ethiopians are very skilled gold and silversmiths, which could by confirmed by everybody who visited "Piazza" in Addis. They have still been producing their own various styles (also filigree) of gold and silver jewelery.
(encl. "Ethiopian still life")
Regards,
Martin
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