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.

Lady from Rif, Morocco (1)

Taken in the 1910's.
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Comments

  • I love the pics Jose. The necklace is unusual...rarely seen on ebay! Are they old PCs or real photos?

  • I see the square elements for this type of Necklace for sale...they are often described as Yemeni.....Haven't seen a set strung in this style for sale anywhere before.

    S x

  • I like the squares of velvet behind the heavy Faqrun fibulae.  I wonder if they protect the fine embroidered textile beneath, show off the silver better, or a little of both!?

    S X

  • Could the necklace be Yemeni then?

  • quite possibly, things travel! off to check a few references for this style shown as a rif necklace...don't recall any, but am more conversant with the South... will report back!

    S x

  • Thanks a lot for your comments. I have found a necklace from the Rif with similar plaques in ambassador's Dezcallar's collection (http://www.berberjewels.com/galeriaen/#/content/GALLERY/COLLARES/00...). In the Spanish version of his website it is described as coming from the Beni bu Yahi group. There is also a book on jewelry from the Rif by a Spanish scholar, Prof. Claudio Barrios that may have some other examples. However I have been unable to get a copy so far as it is out of print. As to the picture itself I think that it was a pic but at certain point it may have been used as a postcard.  

  • Yes, I see those plaque type elements too...... with circles rather than the granulation...certainly there is a relationship between the elements... interesting to look at the correlation.

    Strangely i think the plaques within Morocco are made in the Tarroudant area.. in the south rather than the Rif.. will ask around next time I am there.

  • The necklace is 100 % from the rif mountains....it usually comes with this square silver grannulated boxes with double holes or triple holes at each side to allow a stringing with wonderful coral beads on the oldest examples...theyare eastern rif and northeastern morocco in general found to the south until debdou and missour....

    As Sarah noted.those wonderful. Velvet pieces underthe fibulas are a first time for me as well and a wo derful discovery.

    Brilliant picture Jose....i gather spain has still some major documentation on the rif mountains in general yet to be discovered and studied.
  • Great research Jose, and with support documents!

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