Ethnic Jewels

Berber Fibulae – TIZERZAI – Rif Mountains, MoroccoBerber Fibulae – TIZERZAI – Rif Mountains, Morocco

Early 20th century. Silver gr. 526,7 (18.57 oz). Each fibula measures cm. 20,0 high (7.87”) x cm. 9,2 width (3.62”). Overall, with the chain, the piece is cm. 102,5 long (40.35 Inches). Essential feminine embellishment, the tizerzai are taken in pairs to close the coat. Their weight, size and the fineness...

Berber Fibulae – TIZERZAI – Ait Hadiddou – High Atlas, MoroccoBerber Fibulae – TIZERZAI – Ait Hadiddou – High Atlas, Morocco

19th century. Ait Hadiddou people. Sterling Silver gr. 270,6 (9.54 oz); each rings of the chain from silver coins. Each fibula measures cm. 16,8 (6.61”) high x cm. 7,2 (2.83”) width. Overall, with the chain, the piece is cm. 74,7 long (29.40 Inches). Essential feminine embellishment, the tizerzai are taken...

Hair Ornaments – Ait Akka – Berber – MoroccoHair Ornaments – Ait Akka – Berber – Morocco

Mid 20th century - Tribal metal, paint. Gr 192,75 (6.79 oz); cm. 8,0 high (3.14”) x cm. 4,3 width (1.69”) Antique Berber Hair Ornaments from Ait Akka Tribe. Exquisite work. For similar examples see p. 181 of "Bijoux du Maroc", by Jacques and Marie-Rose Rabaté, Edisud / Le Fennec. The Berbers, or,...

Berber Fibulae – TIZERZAI – Ida Ou Nadif, Anti-Atlas Mountains MoroccoBerber Fibulae – TIZERZAI – Ida Ou Nadif, Anti-Atlas Mountains Morocco

Mid 20th century. Silver, brass and red glass; niello decorations. Each fibula is cm. 11,9 high (4.68”) x cm. 5,1 width (2.00”). With the chain (silver) the piece is cm. 63,0 (24,80") long. Gr. 87,4 (3.08 oz). Essential feminine embellishment, the tizerzai are taken in pairs to close the coat....

Berber Necklace – Hand of Fatima – Rif Mountains, MoroccoBerber Necklace – Hand of Fatima – Rif Mountains, Morocco

Mid 20th century or earlier. Glass and resin beads, buttons. The Hand of Fatima (tribal metal) is cm. 7,0 x 4,7 (2.75 x 1.85 Inches). The nacklace is cm. 60 long (23.62 Inches); gr. 102,4 (3.61 oz.). Berbers are the indigenous ethnic group of North Africa. They are continuously distributed...

Head Adornments – MauritaniaHead Adornments – Mauritania

Mid 20th century. Shells (tafoun), agate and carnelian rings (khourb) on leather. Approx. cm. 64,0 long (25.19 Inches). Before performing the dance of seduction (guedra), mauritanian women wear a parure embellished with different amulets. Very interesting piece from an anthropological point of view. You can see a similar piece on page 28-29...

Berber Bracelets – Essaouira, MoroccoBerber Bracelets – Essaouira, Morocco

Early 20th century. Solid sterling silver. Gr. 122,8 (4.33 oz). The Imazighen (singular Amazigh) also known as the Berbers are among the original peoples of North Africa. Their myths. Legends and history span 9,000 years, back to the Proto-Mediterraneans. They have achieved unity by keeping up their unique language and culture...

Berber Frontal Parure – MauritaniaBerber Frontal Parure – Mauritania

Leather, old glass beads, agate. Approx. cm. 14,5 width (5.70 Inches) x cm. 5,5 high (2.16 Inches). Before performing the dance of seduction (guedra), mauritanian women wear a frontal parure embellished with different amulets. You can see a similar piece on page 28 of "A World of Head Adornment: Africa, Asia, Oceania,...