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Choker/necklace from the Kabyle region in Algeria called "tazlagt emm elherz". Made of three silver boxes, decorated with coral cabochons and enamel. The boxes are linked together by nine strings of deep red coral and striped glass beads. Silver, enamel, coral, glass. Early 20th century. The cotton strings are the original ones and might be fragile at some sections. Provenance: European private collection. Dimensions: Total length with strings: 53 cm Size of silver boxes: 3 x 2,5 x 1,5 cm Weight: 164,2 g Literature: “Jewelry from the Orient (Bir Collection)”, Seiwert, Wolf Dieter, Arnoldsche, 2009, p. 89 “L'argent de la lune”, Makilan, 2015, p. 102 “Il corallo nel gioiello etnico di Marocco e Algeria”, del Mare, Cristina; Russo, Flavio, Electa-Napoli, 2005, p. 95 “Bijoux berbères d'Algérie”, Camps-Fabrer, Edisud, 1990, p. 95 ARG144 -
Rare, large, disc-shaped headdress of the Bedouin women in Libya, cast from pure silver, known as ‘Salha’ or ‘Turraha’. With three hallmarks from the city of Tripoli on the front side. These large ornamental discs made of silver were worn on the head of Bedouin women in Libya for their wedding. They had different names from tribe to tribe and across the region: ‘Salha’, ‘Sualah’, ‘Turraha’, ‘Zerad’ etc. An extremely rare ornament, with traces of use but no damage. First half of the 20th century or earlier. Diameter: 14 cm. Weight: 104,8 g Literature: “Libyan jewellery”, Schenone Alberini, Elena, Araldo de Luca editore, 1998, p. 47 “Jewelry and Adornment of Libya”, Ghellali, Hala, BLKVLD, 2024, p. 69 “Amazics. Joies berebers”, IEMed, 2005, p. 124 TUN16 -
Pair of silver bracelets from de pre-Saharan region of Morocco. Adorned with rivets and knobs of silver.Similar examples are worn in Mauritania. High grade silver. Provenance: European private collection. Dimensions: Diameter: 9,5 cm Inner diameter: 6 cm Width: 2 cm Weight: 185 g literature: “Bracelets ethniques d'afrique, d'Asie d'Océanie et d'Amérique”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2002, p. 22 “Berber Memoires”, Draguet, Michel, Mercator fonds, Yale, 2021, p. 552 “Splendeurs du Marroc” Editions plume, 1998, p, 328 “Bijoux du Marroc. Du Haut Atlas à la Vallée du Draa”, Rabaté, Marie-rose et Jacques, Edisuc/Le Fennec, 1996, p. 186 MAR313 -
Old silver necklace from the Greater Kabylia in Algeria. The necklace was made of a mix of pendants both Amazigh/Berber and French import influenced. This later type was made from around 1900 to 1960 in some areas of the Greater Kabyle. In fact, they were not worn everywhere in the region and that is the why these necklaces are rare and difficult to find. The pendants were made with a mold and a pressing machine technique, far from the traditional handmade Kabyle silversmith work. The pendants usually depict acorns, medals, kitchen tools and hearts, This is the reason they are also called heart chains. Silver, coral, enamel. Dimensions: Length of the necklace: 53 cm Width: 5,2 cm References: "L'argent de la lune" Makilam ARG147 -
Berber/Amazigh necklace from the Western anti-Atlas, Morocco. Materials: amber, coral, glass, silver. From the first half of the 20th century, although some beads might be older. The stringing is more recent than the beads. Provenance: European private collection. Dimensions: Length (only beads): 56 cm Total length with cord (approx): 120 cm Size of central silver pendant: 6 x 6 cm Diameter of biggest amber bead: 2,5 cm Weight: 240 g Literature: “Colliers ethniques d’Afrique d’Asie, d’Océanie et d’Amérique”, Leurquin, Anne, Skira, 2003, p. 26-27 “Bijoux du Marroc. Du Haut Atlas à la Vallée du Draa”, Rabaté, Marie-rose et Jacques, Edisuc/Le Fennec, 1996, p. 182, 183, 185 “Splendeurs du Marroc” Editions plume, 1998, p. 282 “Berber Memoires”, Draguet, Michel, Mercator fonds, Yale, 2021, p. 534 -
Solid silver Tunisian temple ornaments, worn attached to the headdress on each side of the face. They are both hallmarked several times with the word "Tunisia"on them. This kind of earrings would have been worn in the southern part of the country where the culture was continuous with the Libyan side of the border. From the first half of the 20th century. Provenance: European private collection. Diameter (exterior): 8 x 8,5 cm Inner diameter appox 6,5 cm Weight: 164 gr Literature: “Le bijoux de Tunisie”, Samira Gargouri-Sethom, Dunes Editions, 2005, p. 49 "Jewelry and Adornment of Libya", Ghellali, Hala, BLKVLD, 2024, p. 81, 82 "Libyan jewellery", Schenone Alberini, Elena, Araldo de Luca editore, 1998, p. 39 “A world of earrings. Africa, Asia America”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2001, 37, 38, 39 -
Amazigh/Berber forehead ornament made of leather, amber, shell, carnelian, glass and silver. From the first half of the 20th century, although some of the beads attached to the band are older. Provenance: European private collection. Dimensions: 51 x 2,3 cm Weight: 120 g Literature: “Splendeurs du Marroc” Editions plume, 1998, p. 272 MAR309 -
Tunisian silver amulet. The cylindrical hirz amulet is completed with dangles with khomsas (Fatima's hand) for extra protection. High grade silver. From the first half of the 20th century. Provenance: European private collection Dimensions: Length of the chain: 64 cm Size of the pendant with dangles: 9 x 7 cm TUN12 -
Silver necklace from the Greater Kabilia in Algeria. These sort of necklaces, called “Azrar”, were given to women as wedding dowry. They were then use on especial celebrations and festivals. Materials: high grade silver, coral and enamel. From the first half of the 20th century. Provenance: German private collection. The necklace has 21 charm pendants in different shapes, also old French silver coins. Some of the pendants were enamel in blue, green and yellow. These colors and the enamel technique used on them are typical of Berber jewelry from the mountainous kabylie, especially from Beni Yenni. A red coral bead was inset on mostly all pendants, to protect the wearer from evil eye and illness. The necklace is shown in its original condition, and hasn’t been clean or repaired. Dimensions: Length: 41 cm Size of bigger pendants: Between 2,5 and 2,7 cm Weight: 147,4 gr It is fastened with a hook. Literature: “Colliers ethniques d'Afrique d'Asie, d'Océanie et d'Amérique”, Leurquin, Anne, Skira, 2003, p. 36 “Abzim Parures et bijoux des femmes d'Algérie“, Tamzali, Wassyla, Enterprisse -algérienne de Presse, 1984, p. 164 “Bijoux berbères d'Algérie”, Camps-Fabrer, Edisud, 1990, p. 94 “L'argent de la lune”, Makilan, 2015, p. 97-99 “El llenguatge de la joia”, Fundació Caixa Girona, 2008, p. 116 “Ethnic jewellery from Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands”, The pepin Press, 2002, p. 20 ARG141 -
Silver necklace from the Greater Kabilia in Algeria. These sort of necklaces, called “Azrar”, were given to women as wedding dowry. They were then use on especial celebrations and festivals. Materials: high grade silver, coral and enamel. From the first half of the 20th century. Provenance: German private collection. The necklace has 21 charm pendants in different shapes, also old French silver coins. Some of the pendants were enamel in blue, green and yellow. These colors and the enamel technique used on them are typical of Berber jewelry from the mountainous kabylie, especially from Beni Yenni. A red coral bead was inset on mostly all pendants, to protect the wearer from evil eye and illness. The necklace is shown in its original condition, and hasn’t been clean or repaired. Dimensions: Length: 46 cm Size of bigger pendants: Between 3,2 cm Weight: 153,3 gr It is fastened with a hook. Literature: “Colliers ethniques d'Afrique d'Asie, d'Océanie et d'Amérique”, Leurquin, Anne, Skira, 2003, p. 36 “Abzim Parures et bijoux des femmes d'Algérie“, Tamzali, Wassyla, Enterprisse -algérienne de Presse, 1984, p. 164 “Bijoux berbères d'Algérie”, Camps-Fabrer, Edisud, 1990, p. 94 “L'argent de la lune”, Makilan, 2015, p. 97-99 “El llenguatge de la joia”, Fundació Caixa Girona, 2008, p. 116 “Ethnic jewellery from Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands”, The pepin Press, 2002, p. 20 ARG130 -
Pair of earrings with chased and niello decoration of arabesques and a piece of cloisonné enamel on the front, inset with glass, whose finesse contrasts with the pre-Saharan nature of the ornament. These are typical of the Tiznit region. Due to the size and weight of the earrings they are worn as temporals and are attached to the headdress with a chain and a decorated hook. Of exceptional craftmanship, such pieces are particularly ostentatious. The earrings are in pristine condition, no pieces missing or unmatched. From early 20th century, maybe earlier. Provenance: German private collection. Dimensions: Length of the chain: 50 cm Each earring 15 x 10,5 cm Weight: 151,4 cm Literature: “Berber Memoires”, Draguet, Michel, Mercator fonds, Yale, 2021, p. 269-271 “Splendeurs du Marroc” Editions plume, 1998, p. 253 “Bijoux du Marroc. Du Haut Atlas à la Vallée du Draa”, Rabaté, Marie-rose et Jacques, Edisuc/Le Fennec, 1996, p. 53 MAR295 -
Berber/Amazigh necklace, called tifilit from the Tiznit province. The composition is the original one, but the end of the necklace has been adapted to be used with a shell clasp. All beads and components are old. Coral, amber, amazonite, agate, shells, glass and silver. Dimensions: Length: 57 cm Diameter of the biggest amber bead: 3 cm Weight: 209,3 gr Literature: “Berber Memoires”, Draguet, Michel, Mercator fonds, Yale, 2021 “Bijoux du Marroc. Du Haut Atlas à la Vallée du Draa”, Rabaté, Marie-rose et Jacques, Edisuc/Le Fennec, 1996 “Berber women of Morocco” Fondation Yves Saint Laurent, 2014 “Amazics. Joies berebers”, IEMed, 2005 MAR58
