A digital archive showcasing the extensive collection of jewellery and adornment images shared on the former Ethnic Jewels Ning site over the years. These images have significantly enriched discussions on cultural adornment and its global dispersion.
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A celebrated scholar in moroccan jewelry noted that there was a sequential alteration in the pattern of these pendants.
The older ones have full spirals, then came later the ones with only a tiny beginning of a spiral in the very center of the disc along with concentric circles and finally then more later one being only engraved by concentric circles.
BUT In my humble opinion this is partly true and there seem to exist slight variations and old though small pendants with concentric circles do exist.
A close inspection of the bail is the only way to assess the age; yours seems not old, i would say rather vintage, but very well done
Thank you, Alaa - That is good to know... What you write is also in line with the seller's information (a vintage piece). So how can you judge the age of such a piece by looking at the bail (forgive my stupid questions, but my knowledge of Berber jewels is rather limited :-))
Two things to look in bail.
First the degree of use on the top of it. usually such pendants were tightly strung with coral and other beads by women themselves, so the string would apply wear on it
Lastly, the way the bail is attached to the pendant itself, what kind of nail? raised or flat? also if the bail is decorated or plain....ect.
One can only make difference by handling many pieces to see difference between old bails and newly made ones, i am afraid!