Head Ornaments

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 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 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 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 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 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

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. 

A great and original Berber headband from Foum Zguid in Morocco. It is made of a band of wowen textile on which a variety of beautiful elements have been beautifully arranged: old silver Tuareg beads, Malian glass beads, a focal silver plaque minutely engraved and two oustanding silver amulets. The set is completed with extremely faded old silver coins among them a hassani from XVIIIth century. It closes with a piece of amazonite.

A superb Berber old temple ornament -chuafa- from the area of Foum Zguid in the Jbel Bani oasis at the foot of the Central Anti Atlas mountain range. This curious ornament is usually worn attached to a cloth band at the level of one of the temples. It features a serie of beads threaded in a semi-arch over a very characteristic round piece, in reference, it seems, to the path of the sum from dawn to sunset. Mid-XXth century.

Antique ornaments from the Katawaz basin in the Afghan-Pakistani border. An ornament of the muslim population of the region. They are worn as a headdress hanging at each side of the head since their size and weight do not allow them to be used as earrings. The bottom part represents a basket from which a tree grows due to the warmth from the sun. They are made of gilded silver, textile and they feature a central turquoise cabochon. Their patina is excellent. This piece is certainly a piece of conversation. Other names: -Muchley pendants-, -Sun earrings-. Late XIXth century.