Dress Ornaments

A great pair of Berber old silver fibula or -khlal- from Western Tunisia. They were used by women as brooches or clasps to fasten their outer garments. Lovely worn patina. 

An outstanding antique Turkoman amulet pouch or Koran-holder from the Tekke tribe of Central Asia. It serves as a amulet that protects its wearer. It is made of silver, gilding, brass, leather and glass and cornelian cabochons. The quality of the work is magnificient and evidences the degree of mastership attained by the artisans in the region. Lovely patina. Late XIXth century.

A stunning woman's Koran holder -atschar bag- from the Turkoman tribe of the Yomud of Central Asia. Made of silver, gilding and great glass cabochons that may have been originally carnelians. A particularly elegant piece featuring a supperb embossed silverwork. The focal pendant meaures 86x70x10 mm and the chain 37 cm. A true gem of a piece in all senses.

A lovely pair of old Berber silver filigree fibulae sourced at the small village of Tikirt in Jbel Siroua. This type of work though may come from further south in the area of Foum Zguid. This pair features a great filigree work and shows some traces of enamel. They would have been connected by a chain and used as breats ornament to hold in place robes such as handiras, haïks or capes. Early XXth century. 

An old pair of Berber silver fibulae from Taliouine in the Western Anti Atlas in Southern Morocco made from two French silver twenty franc coins from 1937. Other names: -khelâla-, khelalât-. Circa first half of the XXth century.

An old pair of Berber silver fibulae from Taliouine in the Anti Atlas in Southern Morocco made with two scarce and very much sought after Moroccan silver ten Dirham coins of the reign of Yusuf minted between 1331-1336 (A. D. 1913-1918). Other names: -khelâla-, khelalât-. Circa first quarter of the XXth century.

An old pair of Berber silver fibulae from the Anti Atlas in Southern Morocco made with two Spanish silver coins from the reign of Amadeo I (1871). They show incised decoration and an attractive patina due to intensive traditional use. Other names: -khul lala-,-khelâla-, -khelalât-. Early XXth century.

A very old set of Moroccan Berber fibulae sourced at the village of Tissent in central Anti-Atlas. They are made of silver sheet on bronze and red glass cabouchons. They also seem to have some traces of niello left. Very nice engraving decoration. The central cabochon serve as eyes that ward evil off and protect the wearer. They probably come from the tribes Ida ou Nadif or Ida ou Zekri. Mid- to late XIXth century.