Assuit is a cotton mesh that has thin, flat ribbons of metal (usually a low grade silver alloy) folded around the cotton strands in geometric patterns. The patterns may be diamonds or may include natural figures like people, trees, leaves, and camels. They look very art deco and most of the antique pieces that turn up in the US were bought as tourist pieces between the 1900's and 1920's during the Egyptian revival era and the discovery of king Tut's tomb. Some of the heavy antique pieces have so many metal pieces that they look like solid liquidy metal.
here is an article on the gilded serpent about assuit, and shows a number of pieces:
http://www.gildedserpent.com/articles27/najialace1.htm
Unfortunately, I do not know anything about your vests.
Sedonia