Pendants

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 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 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

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 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. 

An old Berber chiseled silver pendant from the Draa Valley in the Eastern Anti Atlas in Southern Morocco. beautiful decoration. A serie of small chains decorated with glass beads and Moroccan silveer coins hang from the bottom of the pendant. 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 Essaouria and among the Zaïane. First half of the XXth century.

An old Berber silver and enamel egg bead (taguemout) sourced in Ida ou Semlal in the Western Anti Atlas in Southern Morocco. It is enamelled in green, yellow and red. Small pendants or coins would hang from it. It was probably part of a necklace or a focal point on a set of fibulae. This is a distinctive ornament of the region of Tiznit/Issafen. Among the Berber the egg is a symbol of fertility, as a life comes from it, as well as of eternity. Circa first half of the XXth century.