PLEASE CLICK ON THE SMALL PICTURES TO SEE
THE ITEMS IN FULL....
NAF270. Here is
a nice variety of fibulae - #1 is 3 inches tall - $80.US.
#2 is 3 1/2 inches tall - $65.US. #3 is 3 1/2 inches tall
- $155.US. #4 is 2 3/4 inches tall - $66.US. (#3 is available)
NAF272. This is
a great new Tuareg ring and I wish that it was in my size. This is
made in a traditional way with great skill. It is a size 10.5 or so
- $75.US.
NAF274. This is
a great enamelled (though much is worn off over the years) Moroccan bead
with a hanging loop at each end. It is often the central focus point
of of a pair of fibulae, attached together with chains or cord. It
measures 3 1/4 inches in length including hanging loops and is about 2 1/8
inch in diameter. Quite wonderful in its detail and colouring.
It is good and old and much used. $220.US. (sold)
NAF276. There are three antique, well worn, beautiful silver
enamelled silver beads from Morocco. They are often worn as the
central bead of a necklace or hanging on chains between two fibula.
Bead #1 is quite heavy and sturdy (35.6 grams). It had a
thick design soldered onto it and now is worn to a smoother finish
which I like very much. The bead is 1 3/4 inches long.
$145.US. Bead #2 is small and sweet - it is the most
worn but remarkably it still has a good finish on the enamelling. The
bead is just under 1 1/2 inches long and weighs 12.7 grams.
$45.US. (#2 is sold)
Bead #3 is the largest of the three. It is 2 1/8 inches long, has
a central hole for stringing as well as three loops for hanging
dangles, etc. from. It is very well worn with more than
half of the enamelling missing. It has a rich look with the
colours of silver and other bits of colours showing in places... it
weighs 30.3 grams. $165.US. I see many newer versions of
these that don't look particularly interesting - while the old ones
seem to hold history inside themselves. (#3 is available)
NAF278. This coin is 2 7/8 inches tall and was worn in Morocco.
It makes a great central piece. $125.US.
NAF281. All of these shell pendants have some manner of
fastening them to something else. #1 is 1 1/8 inch with a central
hole - $14.US. #2 is 1 1/8 inch with a hole from one end
to another - $16.US. #3 is 1 3/8 inches across with a central
hole - $20.US. #4 is 7/8 inch across with numerous holes -
$18.US. #5 is 7/8 inches across with a hole at the top - $16.US.
#6 is 3/4 inches across with a number of holes - $14.US.
#7 is 1 inch across with an X cut into it - $18.US. #8 is a
collection of 5 small holed pieces (sold) -
$26.US (#1, #2, #3, #5, & #7 are available)
NAF288. These are six 5 franc coins from "Tunise" -
Tunisia. The 15/16 diameter silver coins are from around 1939
with hanging loops soldered onto them. Wires hold them onto a
hoop and they look very attractive together clanking lightly when
moved. The group of coins weighs 54 grams. $165.US.
NAF296. This piece measures 20 1/2 inches long. It
is a combination of 2 fibulae (they have coral placed in the silver
openings and the remains of enamel in green and orange in the dips of
the design) with chains attaching them to beads. It is rather
small and delicate and would work very nicely in a very decorative way
on a sweater. It is silver, and it is antique though I imagine
the pieces have been attached in a new combination than in the past as
the spring rings seem to be newer than the main pieces. $110.US.
NAF299. There is an interesting group of Moroccan/Berber
pendants here. Pendant #1 has been cast and has a stringing hole
across the top as well as across the bottom. It has been
enamelled with the typical colours but much of that has been worn off.
The central cabochon is a round piece of red glass. The
pendant is 2 1/4 inches tall. $66.US. Pendant #2 is
fabricated from a thick sheet of cast silver soldered with wire.
There are stringing holes across the top as well as across the
bottom. The upper round cabochon is dark red, and the lower oval
one is dark green. The piece is 2 1/8 inches tall. $90.US.
Pendant #3 is made of sheet silver with wire, enameling and a
square red facet glass stone. There are hanging loops on each
side as well as at the top. The piece is 1 5/8 inches tall.
$60.US. Pendant #4 is a typical pendant made of sheet
silver and nielloed with black. The square cabochon is bright
red. The pendant is 2 1/4 inches tall. $56.US.
NAF300. The Moroccan/Berber pieces are getting difficult
to find and the prices are rising quickly. My apologies, but they
will only be higher in the future. They have been bought
constantly since the 1960s. Pendant #1 is very nicely made,
decorated with both enamel and niello. The piece is 3 inches tall
and has a stringing hole on each side. $72.US. Pendant #2
is small and tidy, 1 3/4 inches tall and nicely enamelled. There
is a stringing hole across the top and a hole on each side.
$45.US. Pendant #3 is very graceful. It is made of
sheet silver with enamel, niello, wire and a dark red glass cabochon in
the middle. It is 2 inches tall. $85.US. Pendant #4
is decorated with enamel, niello and a small central cone. The
piece is 2 1/2 inches tall, and has stringing holes on each side.
It would once have been stitched onto a head-dress. $48.US. (only #2 is still available)
NAF302. There are two substantial matching Berber silver
pendants from Morocco here. The pieces are 3 1/4 inches tall.
They each have a hanging loop and a layer of enamelled silver
over a layer of nielloed silver. The stones in the centers are
dark red and stand in frames that are nicely patterned on the sides.
$175.US./each pendant. (both sold)
NAF303. Here are two of the typical Berber beads used in
necklaces or as a center bead in a chain connected to two fibulae.
The beads are around a hundred years old and most of their
enamelling has been worn off over the years. Bead #1 has coins
hanging from it - 50cent Spanish coins from the last quarter of the
1800s. The bead is 1 3/8 inches across. The coins are a
little under 3/4 inch across. $280.US. Bead #2 is smaller
and smoothly worn in places. It measures 1 1/8 inches across with
a diameter of 1 inch. $115.US. (#1 is available)
NAF304. There are two antique Tuareg silver crosses here.
These are not new copies but old pieces. Cross #1 is 1 1/2
inches tall and very nicely worn. $72.US. Cross #2 has
nicely worn decorations around the rim. It hangs beautifully.
$96.US. (#2 is available)
NAF306. This is an enamelled silver bracelet, set
with red glass and having four coins hanging from it - from Morocco.
The bracelet opens with a pin so that it can be put on and taken
off easily. This is a good heavy piece (more modern pieces tend
to have thin silver and bend easily) and is 1 1/4 inches tall, and 2
1/4 inches by 2 1/8 inches on the inside. It needs polishing very
badly as it hasn't been cleaned for many years. It will gleam
beautifully if it is looked after. $345.US.
NAF308. This is a strong minded Moroccan necklace made
mostly of shells which have been tied together, one at a time, around a
cord. The central part is two shell slices (1 3/8 inches in
diameter), a dark piece that I don't quite recognize, and 3 brass
bells. The necklace is 21 inches around and shuts at the back
with a beaded button and loop. This is an eye catching and
natural looking piece. $355.US.
NAF309. This is not a typical stringing from Morocco but
a contemporary version. It has 15 1/2 inches of antique Venetian
trade beads shut with a loop and a button. The pendant is very
traditional silver with enamelling measuring 3 inches in height.
Ready to wear. $295.US.
NAF311. This is a very attractive, very well made Berber
necklace. The beads are coral, silver and delicate prayer beads,
some with silver. The triple stranded necklace is 18 1/2 inches
long with 5 silver discs hanging from it. The largest central
disc is a little over 2 inches across. One of the discs has a
tiny stamp on the back, and another has Arabic writing written on it -
inscribed into the silver. I am very curious as to what it says.
You can see similar work on silver in "A World of Necklaces".
I think the pieces are from the Middle Atlas area. The five
pendants can represent the protection of the khamsa (which means
"five") for the five pillars of Islam or the five daily ritual
obligations. $665.US.
NAF312. Khamsa are important protections against the
"evil eye" or hazards in life. These pieces represent the Hand of
Fatima, the daughter of the prophet Mohammed. "Khamsa" means
"five" in Arabic referring to the five pillars of Islam or the five
daily obligations. #1 is 2 7/8 inches tall - you can compare the size
of the others. These are all old and individually made.
#1, #2 and #3 are $85.US/each. #4 & #5 are $110.each.
The snake shown on them increases their importance.
NAF313. I have always liked these Moroccan "stoplight"
dangles. The old ones are difficult to find now but these came
from an old collection. The stoplights average3 1/4 inches tall.
#1 - $85.US. #2 - $85.US. #3
- $85.US. #4 is the triangular pendant - 1 3/4
inches tall. - $60.US. (#2 & #4 are sold)
NAF314. Pendants like this are often worn attached to
earrings, or stitched onto a head-band. This is old and
interesting and came from an old collection. The knob one one
side of the central part is missing, leaving an opening that one can
string through. The other knob has a loop at the back so you
could use those two elements to suspend this piece. The center
dangle below has one side clipped. It is still a good and
attractive piece with the original enamelling and a square red stone
set into the middle. This measures 3 3/8 inches from top to
bottom. $95.US.
NAF315. These Moroccan silver pendants with niello each
have their own character. They look great alone on a necklace or
grouped together. #1 is 1 7/8 inches across, richly patterned
and has 2 holes, one at each side. One of the holes has a small
opening and the other hole is complete and excellent for use. - $35.US.
#2 is 2 1/2 inches tall with a loop across the top for hanging -
$35.US. #3 is 2 3/4 inches tall with a loop across the top for
hanging - $44.US. #4 is 2 5/8 inches tall with a loop across the
top for hanging - $44.US. #5 is 3 inches tall with a loop across
the top for hanging - $50.US. #6 is 2 3/4 inches tall with a
loop across the top for hanging - $44.US. (#2, #3 & #4 are on hold)
NAF316. Pieces like this were often used as dangles on
Moroccan earrings. (check page 24 of "A World of Earrings")
These days they make excellent pendants on necklaces. This
silver piece with niello is 4 3/4 inches tall. $78.US.
NAF318. #1 is a Dra'aa Valley fibula from the Atlas
Mountains of Morocco. 3 7/8 inches tall - $62.US. Numbers
2 through 4 of the fibulae are from the Dades Valley of the Atlas
Mountains of Morocco. #2 is 4 5/8 inches tall - $68.US. #3
is 5 inches tall - $105.US. #4 is 5 inches tall - $110.US.
#5 is from the Western Atlas Mountains - just under 3 1/4 inches
tall - $55.US.
NAF319. This pair of fibulae come from the Atlas
Mountains of Morocco from Essaouira. There are distinctive styles
from specific areas. I like the workmanship on these very much,
the deeply patterned decorative part and the two silver knobs attaching
the clasp part. These are old and well worn and on one, the knobs
must have broken off at some point. They have been repaired with
a crushed nail. The damaged piece also has the tip of the pin
broken off. It won't make any difference if you use these on a
loosely woven or knit jacket or sweater. The taller one is 4 1/4
inches tall. I was captivated by the stamped design on each of
them, to the right of the knobs. They are tiny flowers...
$155.US/pair.
NAF320. This is a very attractive antique silver Tuareg
cross. It is 3 1/4 inches tall, rubbed smooth, and nicely
patterned. $110.US.
NAF321. There are some beautiful (now becoming rare)
antique Agadez crosses here made by the Tuareg in the Sahara.
These were first made from stone like carnelian but the green
ones are made of glass. They were originally protective as the
point is rather sharp. Now they are decorative and this size is
not normally worn as a ring but as a pendant or woven into the hair.
#1 is 1 5/8 inches tall. You can measure the others
compared to it. The first 4 crosses are $85.US/each.
Cross #5 is entirely made of a slice of carnelian. It had
been broken years ago and the repair is a piece of silver wrapped
around it. There is some tar-like substance used as a
"glue". $35.US. (#5 is on hold)
NAF322. This is the heaviest Mauritanian ankle
bracelet (khalkhal) that I have had - it weighs in at 105 grams of good
silver. Because of its size it makes a great wrist bracelet
though - it measures 2 3/8 by 1 3/4 inches on the inside and the
opening is 1 inch wide. The anklets were worn to dispel evil
spirits, to walk safely as well as to look attractive. These were
originally worn by the noble women but there are versions now for
everyone. This is an authentic antique piece (modern ones are
being made and sold as antique at times) and has been banged around a
few times which gives it the look of age. The intricate
decorative rectangle is 1 3/8 by 1 3/16 inches and the solid silver
balls at the back are 3/4 inch in diameter. See page 35 of "A
World of Bracelets". $550.US.
NAF323. This is a typically decorated Mauritanian
ankle bracelet (khalkhal) which can be worn as a wrist bracelet.
It has the fat knobby silver balls decorating the inscribing on
the front done in a dramatic and eye-catching way. The bracelet
is 2 1/4 by 1 3/4 inch across on the inside with a 1 1/8 inch opening.
This piece has not been cleaned for a long time so you might just
want to scrub it down a little. It feels terrific when worn.
See page 35 of "A World of Bracelets". $320.US.
NAF324. These earrings are 2 3/4 inches tall, made with
nicely zig-zagged dangles. The earwires are just slightly thicker
than the average modern styles. $110.US
NAF325. There are two very small fibulae here. #1
is 2 1/4 inches tall and includes a spotted silver bead. $75.US.
#2 is 2 1/4 inches tall. $65.US.
NAF326. Here are three delicate, nicely cut antique
Moroccan rings. Ring #1 is a size 10, Ring #2 is a size 6.5, and
Ring #3 is size 5. $65.US/each (#1 & #2 are sold)
NAF221. Here are three
Moroccan fibulae from the Dra'aa Valley (page 28 of "A World of Necklaces".
They represent turtles and different designs represent different regions
of the country. #1 is 3 3/8 inches tall - $125.US. #2 is
3 1/8 inches tall - $120.US. #3 is 3 1/2 inches tall - $130.US.
(#1 is available)
NAF226. The Tuareg make
very attractive, very assertive jewellery. This bracelet was made to
fit a young person, but for an adult, would be a great pendant on an impressive
necklace. It weighs 158.5 grams, is formed from a single piece of silver,
and has been flared out and then hammered with dramatic designs. The
inside measures a little over 1 5/8 inches across, the outside measures 2
3/4 inches across at the widest. According to "A World of Bracelets"
(page 37) "A Targuia woman appreciates beautiful silver jewellery with simple
designs and geometric forms. The weight of these sold elkez
bracelets and matching earrings indicates that they also function as reserve
funds. Most of the ornaments of the Sahara are made by melting down
ancient coins." $255.US.
NAF239. This is an unusual pair
of Moroccan fibulae. They are a good size - measuring 12 inches in
length from top of pin to bottom of pendants. I haven't seen any like
this before. The pieces are made of bronze, not silver and some of
the metal on the decorated part is machine made, not hand wrought.
It is difficult to pin down the age of this, but I would think it is around
30 to 50 years old or so. The pin part has been worn just a little,
and the enamelling has been exposed a bit. The decorated part is thick
like a pillow and held in place with brass/bronze triangular slices.
Like I said before, they are quite distinct in style. $425.US/for
the pair. (sold)
NAF246. Here is
a brand new piece. It is attractive though, and reflects tradition.
The pendant is quite long - 5 1/8 inches tall, and slightly crudely made
compared to the antique ones. The design and patterning are traditional
though, and it is signed on the back by the maker. Most of the beads
are glass and generally from India and from Czechoslovakia. The amber
looking beads are attractive imitations. There are a few sterling silver
spacers from India as well. The piece can be tied shut to be worn.
$75.US/sale $45.US.
NAF207. Amazing delicate,
graceful antique silver fibulae complete with chains, coin decorations, and
delicate central pendant. The entire length (unfolded) is 21 1/2 inches.
$475.US.