Jewels

An interesting old Berber piece from Southern Morocco. The upper part is a cluster of red coral branches, an assortment of beads of glass, silver and stone and old coins. This arrangement protects a small leather amulet (-gris-gris-) hidden underneath. The coins are two twenty-cent silver coins from the French emperor Napoleon III of 1867 and two one-dirham silver coins from Meknes from the XVIIIth century. The lower part is a fragment of iron and brass mail or mesh. A rare headornament also found in Southern Algeria. Outstanding and rare piece from the third quarter of the XIXth century.

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).

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.

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!

Beautiful and rare vintage rhomboidal gilding bath silver pendant featuring the characteristic granulated and filigree work of the Mauritanian goldsmiths. Mid 20th century

A great Berber old hair decoration very characteristic from some tribes living in the region of Foum Zguid in southern Morocco. It consists of a leather piece on which a series of colorful beads are sewn as well as a row of coins, or as this is the case some pieces resembling them, and use to decorate the two broad braids used in a very typical hairdo in that area.

A lovely Moroccan Berber old silver plaque with beatiful incise decoration. Pieces like these were sewn in rows on textile or leather pieces making beautiful headbands. They were often combined with some other elements such as coral, amzonite, silver coins, trade beads to a most flamboyant result.

A lovely Moroccan Berber old silver plaque with beatiful incise decoration. Pieces like these were sewn in rows on textile or leather pieces making beautiful headbands. They were often combined with some other elements such as coral, amzonite, silver coins, trade beads to a most flamboyant result.

Pair of old Berber chiseled silver pendants from the Aït Baha - Ida Ou Gnidif area in the Morrocan Anti Atlas. Beautiful decoration. This kind of ornament would usually hang from a fibula and would be filled with a piece of wool soaked in perfume or some other aromatic substance. This ornament can also be found in the area of the Draa Valley, Essaouira and among the Zaïane. First half of the XXth century.

A superb set of old Berber silver hair rings. They were used braided into the hair and filled with wool impregnated with perfume or with other aromatic substances. Sourced in the Draa Valley they were probably made in Tiznit and would have been originally enameled. Charming, lovely worn patina. Beginning of the 20th century

A lovely and very original old silver hair clip from the Afghan group of the Hazara. It features lovely green and red glass insets. Wonderful patina. Do not miss it!

A very original 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. The chain is included.

A superb set of old Berber silver hair rings from the area of Agadir Tissint in Southern Morocco. This were used braided in the hair and filled with wool impregnated in perfume or with other aromatic substances. Charming old and lovely worn silver coins used as dangles. Very original.

A beautiful set of seven Moroccan silver coin pendants from Mohammed V (1909-1961), king of Morocco. Please check the lovely decorated bales. 

A large old silver Berber earring or hoop from West Tunisian locally known as -monchar, nab jmal - mcharraf-. Due to its size it was worn either as an earring or hanging by the ears. Hallmarked (-tête de negre-). Superb patina.

A beautiful old silver Berber earring or hoop from West Tunisian locally known as -badla-mchabbek-. Due to its size it was worn either as an earring or hanging by the ears. Superb worn silky patina.

A great old Kutchi silver pendant from Afghanistan. Its focal part is made of a lovely squared faceted piece of mirror with hanging chains ending in beautiful heart shaped dangles. A charming small turquoise cabochon adds the final touch. Great patina. Joyful and very wearable.  

A great Moroccan silver, enamel and coral pendant made in the Algerian Kabyle style. The workmanship is oustanding and reveals the works of a master silversmith. A piece to be enjoyed and noticed. 

An old Tuareg silver and copper amulet (tcherot) from Mali. It is ornated with nice engravings affording protection to the wearer. It would have also contain some verses from the Quran or other protective writings to ward off bad influences and evil. Superb patina. Other denominations: -gris-gris-, -kitab-, -gri-gri-. 

A charming old Berber silver perfume amulet featuring a nice silverwork. It would have been used by its wearer braided in her hair or hanging from her headgear or fibule chains and filled with scented wool or aromatic herbs. The little chain does not probably belong to the original set but was used at some point to attach the amulet to the woman's apparel. 

A great old silver triangle pendant from Afganistan. It features a notable silverwork, particularly the superb granulation in the fringe of the upper sides. It is further decorated with a nice central cabochon and a fringe of diamond-shaped pendants. Pieces like this one remind somehow of similar pieces found among turkmen tribes in Uzbekistan and Kirgystan. A lovely piece with a very nice patina.  

A beautiful old silver triangle pendant from Afganistan. It features a notable and detailed silver embossing work. It is further ornated with lovely turquoise and red glass paste cabochons. The long fringe of pendants decorated with coral beads at the bottom makes the whole piece very, very original. Pieces like this remind somehow of similar pieces found among turkmen tribes in Uzbekistan and Kirgystan. A great piece.  

A stunning old silver triangle pendant from Afganistan, possibly from the province of Nooristan. It features a most refined silver openwork that makes both sides equally attractive, The tiny and colorful turquoise and coral-like cabochons give it a very joyful look that is boosted by the long pendants and their little coral beads. This kind of pieces remind somehow of similar pieces found amoung turkmen tribes in Uzbekistan and Kirgystan. A superb piece.  

A beatiful Berber silver headgear, comprising a pair of great earrings with central glass cabochons from which hang lovely khamsa pendants. It comes most likely from Tazenakht in Moroccan Central High Atlas. It would have been used as part of the headgear of a Berber woman to fasten and secure in place her cover. Traces of enamel and paint add up to the authenticity and charm of this outstanding Berber tribal set. 

Three old silver Berber cones from the Akhsass in Moroccan Anti-Atlas Occidental. They are among the most characteristic pieces of Moroccan Berber jewellery. They would have been part of a traditional leather or embroidered headband, known as -isni-, which includes five of these cones and stone and amber beads and that it is worn among the Akhsass and some other neighbouring groups. Very original

A superb silver antique pendant from Afghanistan. It features a superb silver granulation work on its edges and the turquoise and coral cabochons give it a rich air. The dangles give movement to the piece and makes it particularly festive and joyful. Pieces like this seem to share some resemblance to pendants and amulets -tumars- that can be found among peoples of turkmen origins in Afghanistan and in other neighbouring countries further north. A very attractive piece with a lovely silky patina.  

This is a lavish pair of old Afghan silver and coral temple ornaments. It features an elegant and minutely silverwork, almost lace in the upper part, a tribute to the mastery of the silversmith who made them. It is further enriched with two rows of red coral beads. This pair resembles somehow similar ornaments and amulets -tumars- found among neighbouring Turkmen and Tadjik groups using a wide variety of techniques. A pair to enjoy and that will be a nice addition any collection.  

An old and rare Berber silver diadem from Imi n Tanout in the Western Anti-Atlas in Southern Morocco. The silver articulated plaques have the shape of doors and are profusely and beautifully ornated with chiseled plant motifs. It also features twelve silver coin pendants as follows: three 1/2 Dirham coin from Abd al-Aziz 1313-1319 (A.D. 1896-1902); five 1/2 Dirham coin from Moulay al-Hasan I, minted between 1299-1314 (A.D. 1882-1903); one 1 Dirham coin from de Moulay al-Hasan I minted between 1299-1314 (A.D. 1882-1903); one 1 Dirham coin from Abd al-Aziz 1320-1321 (A.D. 1903). The other to worn to be identified. This piece shows distinctive features from its area of provenance yet it seems it has also received some influence from the so-called "citadine" jewels. We have not found any similar example in our books of reference which gives it an added value. It is very likely that it was originally formed by a larger number of plaques but that it was split as a piece of inheritance. It would have been worn in very special ocassions. Circa end of the XIXth century or early XXth century. This piece shows distinctive features from its area of provenance yet we have not found any similar example in our books of reference.

An old Berber headband -taounza- from Tafraoute in the Anti Atlas in Southern Morocco. Cotton embroidered in green, red and ochre silk. Ornated with glass, amber and bone beads and two buttons, and three nielloed silver plaques enamelled in yellow and green from which hang smaller nielloed plaques. The central one features a red glass cabochon affording protection to the wearer. Other shapes as a form of protection are also found. Used by tribes of the Akhsas (Tafraoute) and neighbouring areas.Other names: -mechboh-. Very nice old piece of the first half of the XXth century.

A great head ornament from the Mauritanian Sahara Desert. Of a Guedra origin with a likely influence from the group of the wodabee. Made with braided leather straps and an array of beads of different ages and types: krobo beads from Ghana, Murano and chevron beads,  shells and cowrie shells. A superb ethnographic piece.  

An old pendant sourced in Morocco. This type of pendants is characteristic from areas lying close to the Moroccan-Mauritanian border in the deep Sahara and of the Algerian Saoura region. It is made of a leather strap, three conus shell rings and two two-franc aluminium coins from 1937. The back part seems to be some piece of upholstery from an old car. A great tribal piece, full of character and with a superb patina.