Outstanding Frontal Parure – CHARWITA – Mauritania

14 large carved shells (tafoun), coral beads, old venetian murrine, old spanish silver coins, old marroccan silver coins, 2 small spanish and USA coins, silver, agate, carnelian and glass beads. Whitout the strips, approx. cm. 31,0 width x cm. 12,0 high (7.48″ x 2.56″); gr. 460,4 (4.51 oz.).

Before performing the dance of seduction (guedra), mauritanian women wear a parure embellished with different amulets.

For similar examples and more informations:

page 28-29 of “A World of Head Adornment: Africa, Asia, Oceania, America” by Anne Van Cutsem.;

page 223 of “Africa Adorned” by Angela Fisher.