Jewels

A superb pair of old silver hoops from the Hazara, an ethnic minority group of persian origin that lives in central and Northeastern Afghanistan and in Northwestern Pakistan. This sample shows outstanding engraving and it is rimmed with delicate granulation work. Large size. It probably comes from the Nuristan region in Afghanistan or from Pakistan. An example of this quality and age are very hard to come by and have become very much sought after. Early XXth century.

A pair of old Berber silver earrings found in Taliouine in Southern Morocco. They are worn by the women of the group of the A

A nice old Berber talisman -hirz- pendant from the region of the Ida ou Semlal in Western Anti Atlas in Morocco. It features a copper box covered by a silver plaque with incised decoration and classic elements of Berber iconography reinforcing the protective effect of the amulet. It would contain some verses from the Holy Quran to protect its owner from evil. Most likely a part of a necklace together with like talisman. Other denominations: -herz-, -kitab-, -gris-gris, -boîte à Coran-. First half of the XXth century. 

A lovely old Berber Tunisian Hand of Fatima, -khamsa- or -khomeissa- silver pendant. The word -khamsa- means literally five in arabic, a number to which Berber beliefs grant prophylactic effects. It affords protection to its wearer as a poweful talisman that wards evil off. Very nice worn patina.

An old Berber silver talisman known as the Southern Cross or -Boghdod- from the Moroccan pre-Sahara Desert. The granulation work suggests some Mauritanian influence. As a former Spanish ambassador to Morocco Jorge Dezcallar de Mazarredo explains in -Joyas Bereberes de la colección Jorge Dezcallar- the parents would present their children with a Southern Cross upon coming of legal age saying: -Son, I give you the four directions-. It is a powerful talisman for protection as it benefits from the power of  the number five ( four directions and the central element pointing above).

A pair of Berber silver earrings from Morocco. Their design makes them very attractive and wearable. Nice engraved decoration.

A pair of Berber silver earrings from Morocco. Their design makes them very attractive and wearable. Nice engraved decoration.

A beautiful pair of old Afghan silver and coral long earrings. Their design is very original. Great patina.

A beautiful pair of old Afghan silver and coral ong earrings. Their design is very original. Great patina.

A nice set of old Afghan earrings made of old silver and coral beads.They are further ornated with small cabochons of turquoise and coral. Joyful and great to wear.

A beautiful pair of old Afghan silver and coral ong earrings. Their design is very original. Great patina.

A nice set of old Afghan earrings made of old silver and coral beads.They are further ornated with small cabochons of turquoise and coral. Joyful and great to wear.

A nice set of old Afghan earrings made of old silver and coral beads.They are further ornated with small cabochons of turquoise and coral. Joyful and great to wear.

A beautiful pair of old Afghan silver and coral ong earrings. Their design is very original. Great patina.

A nice set of old Afghan earrings made of old silver and coral beads.They are further ornated with small cabochons of turquoise and coral. Joyful and great to wear.

A nice set of old Afghan earrings made of old silver and coral beads.They are further ornated with small cabochons of turquoise and coral. Joyful and great to wear.

A superb pair of Afghan Kuchi old silver and red coral large hoops. They show a detailed silver work that evidences the mastery of the silversmith that made them. Kuchi people, from the Persian -koch- meaning migration, are Afghan pashtoons nomads divided in a number of tribes that inhabit areas of Afghanistan and, to a lesser extent, Pakistan.

A nice set of old Afghan earrings made of old silver and coral beads.They are further ornated with small cabochons of turquoise and coral. Joyful and great to wear.

A nice set of old Afghan earrings made of old silver and coral beads.They are further ornated with small cabochons of turquoise and coral. Joyful and great to wear.

A nice set of old Afghan earrings made of old silver and coral beads.They are further ornated with small cabochons of turquoise and coral. Joyful and great to wear.

A superb pair of Afghan Kuchi old silver and red coral large hoops. They show a detailed silver work that evidences the mastery of the silversmith that made them. Kuchi people, from the Persian -koch- meaning migration, are Afghan pashtoons nomads divided in a number of tribes that inhabit areas of Afghanistan and, to a lesser extent, Pakistan.

A nice set of old Afghan earrings made of old silver and coral beads.They are further ornated with small cabochons of turquoise and coral. Joyful and great to wear.

A nice set of old Afghan earrings made of old silver and coral beads.They are further ornated with small cabochons of turquoise and coral. Joyful and great to wear.

A nice set of old Afghan earrings made of old silver and coral beads.They are further ornated with small cabochons of turquoise and coral. Joyful and great to wear.

A nice set of old Afghan earrings made of old silver and coral beads.They are further ornated with small cabochons of turquoise and coral. Joyful and great to wear.

A superb pair of Afghan Kuchi old silver and red coral large hoops. They show a detailed silver work that evidences the mastery of the silversmith that made them. Kuchi people, from the Persian -koch- meaning migration, are Afghan pashtoons nomads divided in a number of tribes that inhabit areas of Afghanistan and, to a lesser extent, Pakistan.

A superb pair of Afghan Kuchi old silver, red coral and turquoise large hoops. They show a detailed silver work that evidences the mastery of the silversmith that made them. They are particularly eye-catching the turquoise and coral cabochons and the elaborate design of the chains from which beautiful red coral beads are suspended. Pieces of this quality are hard to come by nowadays. Kuchi people, from the Persian -koch- meaning migration, are Afghan pashtoons nomads divided in a number of tribes that inhabit areas of Afghanistan and, to a lesser extent, Pakistan.

A nice set of old Afghan earrings made of old silver and coral beads.They are further ornated with small cabochons of turquoise and coral. Joyful and great to wear.

A nice set of old Afghan earrings made of old silver and coral beads.They are further ornated with small cabochons of turquoise and coral. Joyful and great to wear.

A wonderful pair of silver earrings engraved with simple Tuareg motifs from Niger. We have not really seen many like these in our modest tour. Truly a collector's piece! Unfortunately one of the pins is defective, although it would not be difficult to repair it.

Simple yet great Tuareg silver and cornaline ring (tisek). It features a nice engraved side decoration. It is also ocassionally used as a hair ornament. Great patina. The Tuareg are a nomadic Berber (amazigh) group that lives in the Sahara Desert. Mid-XXth century.

It can be used like pendant.

Simple yet great Tuareg silver and glass ring (tisek). It features a nice engraved side decoration. It is also ocassionally used as a hair ornament. Great patina. The Tuareg are a nomadic Berber (amazigh) group that lives in the Sahara Desert. Mid-XXth century.

It can be used like pendant.

A sophisticated engraved silver Tuareg pendant known as Agadez Cross or Sothern Cross from Niger. It is traditionally the man who would give it to his wive on the wedding day or to his son when reaching adulthood to guide them on the right path.

A sophisticated engraved silver Tuareg pendant known as Agadez Cross or Sothern Cross from Niger. It is traditionally the man who would give it to his wive on the wedding day or to his son when reaching adulthood to guide them on the right path.

An original pair of Tuareg silver and ebony rings featuring a characteristic decorative shape from that group.  The Tuareg are a nomadic Berber (amazigh) group that lives in the Sahara Desert. Its population is mainly spread in Algeria, Libya, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. 

A very original large silver pendant from the nomadic group of the Peul or Fulani in Mali. Its design reminds somehow of certain gold pieces found among certain groups in Senegal. Fantastic goldsmith work!