Gallery

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.

DSC_0823 Old Libyan Headdress

Posted by Mustafa J. Salem on October 7, 2015 at 5:58pm

This is a unique type of an old headdress worn in Jabal Nafusah by 'Berber'. The thick piece being hollow is called Bu' Manfukh' , while the slim solid one on top is called 'Rbib'.This type of ornament is worn on the right top part of the head.This piece is old but decoration is still in good condition. Good quality silver ‘900’. The two pieces normally are tied together at the top by a woolen thread.

Comments

Mustafa J. Salem October 7, 2015 at 6:14pm

The headdress as was worn by Berber ladies. See picture above
ingrid Langerak October 7, 2015 at 9:41pm

Mustafa, how beautiful, such refined decoration and the high silver quality. I love it. Also the photo gives a clear idea how it is worn. Charming and also a bit challenging. This lady wears two one on top with the hat and the bottom one where is that one attached. Must be weighty pieces. Thank you for showing. Tunesian and lybian pieces are always of such skilled and high quality silver, facts which I admire. GR. Ingrid.
Mustafa J. Salem October 8, 2015 at 6:57am

Dear Ingrid , thank you for your kind comment. Yes this rare item is quite nicely decorated and though quite old it still retains its fine details. These items are rare nowadays as they were only used in a small area in Libya. The other pieces hanging on the two sides of head are type of heavy ear rings but they are not fixed in the ears. They are held by a wide belt of leather fixed on top of the head with the two pieces hanging on the sides of the head near the ears.
Mustafa J. Salem October 8, 2015 at 7:09am

Heavy ear rings attached by a leather belt so that they hang around the two sides of the head 'near the ears'
Charlotte Dakin-Norris October 8, 2015 at 8:54am

Dear Mustafa, these are very lovely! I particularly love the Rbib with its stylish pattern, and like Ingrid I am delighted that you included a photo of how these pieces are worn. The fastening at the back is intriguing - is it possible for you to share a closer image please?

Thank you, Charlotte
Mustafa J. Salem October 8, 2015 at 9:33am

Dear Charlotte: Thank you for your comment. I am pleased that you liked the posted piece. Sure, I will take a close-up picture of the wiring fastening the two pieces and post them. The wire of the 'Rbib' is broken which I need to weld sometime. Mustafa
Mustafa J. Salem October 8, 2015 at 11:46am
Mustafa J. Salem October 8, 2015 at 11:48am

Dear Charlotte: Detailed pictures for the ends of the two pieces are below as requested.

Thanks Mustafa
Charlotte Dakin-Norris October 8, 2015 at 2:18pm

Dear Mustafa,

Thank you for taking that excellent close-up photo. Now I can see the beautiful forging of the silver! What an elegant method of joining two pieces of silver without soldering. I like it very much.

Best wishes, Charlotte
Mustafa J. Salem October 8, 2015 at 4:10pm

Thank you Charlotte:

I am pleased that you liked the photo and appreciate the traditional idea of joining the silver. These ends are usually covered by woolen threads so that they are covered. As you could see from the 'Rbib' piece one wire is broken and it needs to be fixed.