These gold bracelets from the Fatimid Dynasty in Egypt show the importance of jewelry as a gift item signaling intimacy, even 1,000 years ago. Paired bracelets such as these were a frequent part of a bride*s dowry. Pair of Bracelets Syria or Egypt, 11th century Gold, fabricated from sheet, decorated with wire, granulation, and repoussé Museum of Islamic Art, Doha Photo courtesy Museum of Islamic Art, Doha Islamic jewelry

These gold bracelets from the Fatimid Dynasty in Egypt show the importance of jewelry as a gift item signaling intimacy, even 1,000 years ago. Paired bracelets such as these were a frequent part of a bride*s dowry. Pair of Bracelets Syria or Egypt, 11th century Gold, fabricated from sheet, decorated with wire, granulation, and repoussé Museum of Islamic Art, Doha Photo courtesy Museum of Islamic Art, Doha