Berber Head Adornments – OUEZZANE – MoroccoBerber Head Adornments – OUEZZANE – Morocco

Early 20th century. Sterling silver, old mediterranean coral and red glass. Cm. 31,5 (12.40”) high x cm. 4,7 (1.85”) width – gr. 129,8 (4.58 oz)

These head adornments (Gates of Paradise), was obtained by flattening coins in circulation at the end of the 19th century. These pendants are attached with a large needle, which, usually, is fixed on a ring or on the plate itself. At the base there are chains decorated with coral and glass beads and finish with engraved plaques.

Berbers are the indigenous ethnic group of North Africa. They are continuously distributed from the Atlantic to the Siwa oasis in Egypt, and from the Mediterranean to the Niger River.The name Berber appeared for the first time after the end of the Roman Empire. Many Berbers call themselves some variant of the word imazighen (singular: Amazigh), possibly meaning “free people” or “free and noble men”. Today, most Berber-speaking people live in Morocco and Algeria.