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 Wearing a Head Ornament

I am very interested in learning more about the jewel that this lady is wearing on her head. I think this photo is of an Algerian lady, but I have seen a number of old photos of Tunisian ladies wearing a similar ornament. Eudel mentions that "kheit" necklaces are worn as both necklaces and head ornaments in some regions. I expect that this is true also in Tunisia. Does anyone know more about the historic use of necklaces as head ornaments in North Africa?
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Comments

  • This is indeed an algerian beauty.

    The head ornament is part of a wider necklaces family that originates in rennaissance europe.

    Obviously introduced during the ottomans by the intermediary of the genovese. maltese. jewish. french merchants.

    One still can find brooches. earrings and pendants similar to the central part among the regional jewelry on france mainly souther part and provence.

    Still surviving in tunisia in the for of the khayali. with the turkish knot between smaller upper part and bigger lower part and widely sirviving in morocco as earrings and necklaces since their introduction by jews mainly in north morocco...look at my gold and diamonds earrings i have already posted.

    It is common that jewels that are aknowledged as foreign models to be adopted by local and change the place of body where they are worn especially to stress on the fact on the difference of faith and religion between women who wear it.

    For instance a jewel worn as a necklace by jews would be worn as head ornament by muslim ladies.
  • Thanks very much for your helpful comments, Ayis!

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