Garments often had to be fastened and secured. Affluent women could afford fine gold and silver hooks and buckles that were functional and decorative at the same time.
Jewellery accessories were widely used to further enhance the impact of the costume, and women of all backgrounds were proud to show off their finery at public events, not only as symbols of beauty but also of their wealth. Indeed, jewellery items were accumulated as assets that could be converted into money when needed. Some jewellery designs incorporate verses from the Qur’an, prayers or protective talismans to ward off the ‘evil eye’.