PLEASE CLICK ON THE SMALL PICTURES TO SEE
THE ITEMS IN FULL....
NAF247. This is an absolutely
gorgeous and unusual old Mauritanian prayer box, on a nicely made chain.
The piece is more than 50 years old and shows a little wear here and there.
The nail on the top left hand corner is a little loose and moves around,
but it is well placed and will not fall out. The 18 inch long
chain has wear from use, but will still hold strong for a long time.
It has a clasp on it. The box itself is 2 3/4 inches by 2 7/8 inches
and the nails in it stand tall. Magical words must be folded inside
protecting the wearer. This is very collectible as well as wearable.
$350.US. (sold)
NAF268. This rough old
Moroccan cross measures 2 1/2 inches from top to bottom - $80.US.
(sold)
NAF269. These small
old Moroccan crosses average about 1 1/2 inches in height. They are
$45.US/each. (#3 & #5 are sold)
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.
NAF271. This is
a very old Moroccan hairpiece with a coin (1321) attached. It could
be used as a very extended ring or hung as a pendant. It measures 4
1/4 inches long, and the ring size is an 8.5. $125.US.
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.
NAF273. These are
both new Tuareg rings but they follow old tradition. Ring #1 has a
piece of cut glass in it, the colour of carnelian. Size 9.5 - $75.US.
Ring #2 is a thick slice of silver decorated on all sides. It has a
very unusual look to it. Size 7.5 - $75.US. (both sold)
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.
NAF275. Here are
two Yemeni strands with nice striped agate beads, imitation coral (glass),
and silver. The bead strands are about 26 inches long. Amulet
#1 is 2 inches wide. Amulet #2 is 2 1/4 inches wide. $220.US/each
strand.
NAF257. This is a fat,
robust, well coloured strand of synthetic amber - similar to what has been
worn in Morocco and areas close by for hundreds of years. The synthetic
beads have been made for over a century because amber was very important
and there was never enough of it in these good sized shapes. The strand
is just under 20 inches long and the beads average about 7/8 inch in diameter.
Silver beads or a good old pendant would look great with these beads.
The real amber is expensive enough now, that I only occasionally have it
for sale. $250.US.
NAF258. This is a charming
Moroccan necklace which sits very well with the three khamsas pointing in
different directions. The necklace is 22 inches long and made of good
old coral beads and sterling quality silver. The khamsas have been
decorated with the niello technique and each, from top of hanging loop to
bottom are 2 3/8 inches long. Personally I like shorter necklaces,
cradling the base of my neck, so I would remove the two long beads, add a
few spacers at the back and restring it, using the long teardrop shaped beads
for another project. This necklace makes a clear and attractive statement.
$650.US.
NAF262. Two simple silver
Yemeni necklaces. The amulet of #1 is 2 3/4 inches across and the entire
strand is 24 1/2 inches long. The amulet of #2 is 2 7/8 inches long
and the entire strand is 25 inches long. $85.US/each
(#2 is sold)
NAF263. Here are three
strands of Yemeni black coral prayer beads. They have been embedded
in various designs with bits of metal wire. It is difficult to tell
exactly what metal it is, probably debased silver. These are old beads
and some show some true wear - all attractive and a pleasure that they have
been handled and loved in the past. I see many fakes but these are
very much the real item. Strand #1 is 22 inches long and ends
with a 3/4 inch long bead of imitation amber. The strand has real coral
on it along with the amber made of resin. $145.US.
Strand #2 is 20 inches long and has a central pendant a little more than
1 1/2 inches long. This has two resin beads at the back and one pale
coral at the front. $145.US. Strand #3 is 20 inches
long with a 2 1/8 inch long central pendant. This has two rather attractive
resin beads at the back. $145.US. (all sold)
NAF265. This strand of
coral was bought in Morocco. It is on a black string which has been
knotted between beads, and closes with a button and loop. The necklace
is a little over 24 inches long. $435.US.
NAF266. Here is
a beautiful "amber" necklace ready to wear. This is called "amber"
in North Africa and has all of the importance of natural amber but is in
reality simulated and made from a resin. These beads are old, have
been worn and are hugely attractive. There are 11 carved pieces of
shell separating some of the beads. This necklace was bought in Morocco,
is shut with a sterling silver clasp and measures 18 1/2 inches in length.
The wides bead is 1 7/8 inch in diameter. $850.US.
NAF267. This is
an interesting collection of "fake" amber which was collected over time by
an African bead dealer who I know. They are all made from some sort
of plastic or resin, but are coloured in very true shades of amber with some
having streaks of colour and striations. It is a very attractive collection
and I think would look just great in its current order with enough silver
beads added around the back to make it a necklace. Everyone has their
own visions though. There are about 9 inches of beads with the fattest
one being slightly over 1 1/4 inches in diameter. The one with the
cross-hole going through it is 1 3/8 inches long. I love the warm feel
of these beads. $325.US.
NAF251. Here is an antique
pendant from Morocco - shaped like a perfume container. It has a few
little holes in the side, so perhaps one drops some liquid perfume into it
for an essence which protects the wearer. This is 4 1/8 inches long.
$145.US.
NAF253. This is an absolutely
gorgeous, unusual, and fascinating pair of fibulae with the chain and central
bead - exactly as it was worn for many years. The fibulae are just
over 4 inches long, and the entire piece is 27 inches long. Fastened
into a sturdy sweater or jacket, it fall beautifully with a central bead
1 1/4 inches in diameter. This is both collectible and wearable and
gleaming with a very good silver. $775.US.
NAF256. These Moroccan coins,
made to hang on neckpieces, head-dresses, etc. are $24.US each except for
#4 which is $34.US. Coin #1 is just over 1 5/8 inches tall including
loop. (#2, #4, #5, #6 & #10 are available)
NAF218. Dangling charms
and endless circles - - Amazigh (often referred to as Berber) pendant measuring
5 1/2 inches from top of loop to bottom of pendants. $125.US.
(sold)
NAF220. These two matching
fibulae are very much like the pair on page 19 of "A World of Necklaces".
When worn traditionally, a chain and central bead or pendant would join the
two together. The fibulae themselves buckle into the fabric of a cloak
or jacket. These pieces are 8 inches long and 4 1/4 inches long at
their widest. In the book it says "Northern Africa was colonized by
Rome very early on, and has kept the use and shape of antique jewellery.
The triangle symbolizes the female sex." $325.US/the pair. (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.
(#2 is sold)
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.
NAF227. I have three
pairs of these earrings for sale. They are brand new, but made in Morocco
with all the tradition that is possible. The earrings look a little
clumsy because I am just laying them down on the scanner - normally the dangles
would hang nicely instead. From top to bottom they hang 2 inches down
- sterling silver and good old coral has been used, and real enameling as
well. I am very impressed by these earrings and do love the way that
they feel with dangles swinging as I walk. $95.US/each pair.
(all sold)
NAF232. Thin sliced
silver Tuareg crosses/pendants, about 3 5/8 inches tall... $75.US/each.
(#2 is available)
NAF236. String
of 74 silver holed discs bought in Morocco, having been bound onto a cord
for wearing. Each disc is about 5/8 inch in diameter and the holes
are over 1/8 inch across. $250.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.
NAF242. Here is
one small pendant that would have been used on a fabric piece worn on the
head. It has holes in the sides to sew it on, but they can also be
used to attach this piece as a central pendant on a necklace. The enamelling
is still undamaged and colourful. The piece measures 3 1/8 inches from
top to bottom. $35.US.
NAF243. Here are
four antique pendants that would have been sewn onto a headpiece. They
each have a central slice of square (squarish?) glass, and some remainder
of their original enamelling. They are all charming, though none are
in perfect condition. They do speak their age. They all have
holes on their sides and could be worn as central pendants on necklaces,
or they could be made into pins. #4 has a missing silver knob on the
right side, but holds together fine. They average 3 3/4 inches in length.
These are bargain priced at $45.US/each.
NAF246. Here is
another 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.
NAF247. I rarely see
beautiful old Tuareg rings like this anymore. There are many which
are much more modern available. This is decorated on each side with
great delicacy. This is a size 7 1/2 and is very perfect.
$75.US. (sold)
NAF245. This is a marvellous
piece. This is a Tuareg lock which comes from the last half of the
1900s. A mechanically minded friend opened this for me and we found
that there are 3 steps involved. (I was originally told there were
seven, but three is tricky enough) It will be a challenge to the buyer
to figure it out themselves. At first I thought that it was a lock
to hold something closed, but looking carefully, I believe it is a container
and the items within the container are locked away - as in a spiritual talisman.
This is used on camel saddle bags as a talismanic lock - sometimes dangles,
yarn or decorations are hung from it. Amazingly this piece is made
of silver and I think that it could be an attractive decorative item
to wear. The three "keys" are sitting on a separate pendant and two
of them are the same shape as veil hangers - decorative pieces attached to
the back of a veil to keep it from blowing up with the desert winds.
It would be quite an idea if one person were to wear the lock, and that the
person who was most important to them could wear the keys. I have no
idea if that would have happened but it is an idea that resounds with me.
This is quite heavy, and 5 1/4 inches across, and 3 1/4 inches tall.
The lock weighs 176 grams and the keys weigh 29. I polished this just
a little and it gleams very much when shone up (I just use a soft cloth with
jeweller's rouge, and then a soft clean cloth) - the surface is a little
yellowed but cleans nice and bright. I do think that this is just an
amazing item. $435.US. (sold)
NAF206. Pair of heavy
silver antique fibulae, measuring 6 1/2 inches long. They show old
wear that makes them more attractive. They are not exactly the same
size but are close enough to be a matched pair. Nicely there is a bit
of a pattern hammered onto the loop that helps to fasten the pin into one's
cloak or clothing. It is a nice touch. $285.US/pair.
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.
NAF188. This is
a great pair of old, worn fibulae made of very old silver Moroccan coins
- unfortunately the dates are covered with silver so I can't read the years.
They have been used quite a bit and show appealing wear on them. You
can see that a chain had been attached but can only wonder what it contained.
The coins themselves 2 3/8 inches across. The pins on the pendants
are different in length as one must have broken over the years and been resharpened
at a shorter length. One is 5 3/4 inches long, and the other is 5 inches
long. They match very nicely though and are full of character. $145.US.
NAF199. Well, I
am very fond of very many items from North Africa. This is a nicely
matching pair of lovely good silver fibulae worn very proundly by Berber
women. According to page 242 of Africa Adorned "The various groups
of Ait Hadiddu women are distinguished by the design and colour of the stripes
on their woollen capes and the type of fibula they wear. These often
represent animals believed to have magical properties." These fibulae
are illustrated there and represent the jackal's paw "dar-n-ouchen" and are
worn in the eastern regions. The pieces are 5 7/8 inches long and the
two weigh about 7.1 ounces. $295.US/for the pair.