Creative talent Sally Moussa reinterprets Bahraini Naqda metal thread embroidery in contemporary fine jewellery

The series of earrings and neckpieces echo gathered thread bundles and stitched loops, bridging textile technique with metalwork

Manama: Heritage-driven design continues to shape contemporary jewellery conversations across the Gulf, with designers increasingly revisiting traditional crafts through a modern lens. In this context, Bahrain-based creative Sally Moussa has developed a capsule collection that reimagines Bahraini Naqda — a historic form of metal thread embroidery — into wearable art.

The pieces interpret the delicate khoos threads used in Naqda by recreating their fine, looping structures in silver and gold-plated silver. Design elements reference both the specialized needle used in the craft and the linen base fabric on which the embroidery is traditionally formed, translating these functional tools into aesthetic motifs. The result is a series of earrings and neckpieces that echo gathered thread bundles and stitched loops, bridging textile technique with metalwork.

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Moussa’s exploration of Naqda was sparked by a hands-on workshop at Beit Al Naqda in Muharraq, where exposure to archival displays and practical instruction informed her material direction. She also drew parallels with Tally embroidery from Egypt, underscoring the shared history of metal-thread embellishment across the Middle East and beyond, where each culture has developed distinct motifs and applications.

Two designs from the wider six-piece series were later presented at an exhibition in Milan, positioning the work within an international contemporary jewellery dialogue. Moussa intends to further expand the collection, building on its craft-led foundation.

Sally Moussa is the founder of the jewellery label Elytra, named after the protective wing cases of insects — a reference to her parallel practice as a macro photographer. She retails her jewellery through curated exhibitions, selective showcases and direct commissions, maintaining a boutique, design-led model that prioritizes limited runs, story-telling and close engagement with collectors in Bahrain and overseas.

Retail Jeweller ME News