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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Is the brooch similar to the Kabyle tabzimpt at all? Silver with enamel and coral?
It is hard to tell from the photo, but according to what I have read in Eudel's book, it is either silver or gold, probably with faceted "rose-cut"stones set into it. It is very similar to the Tunisian "fakrouna" and the "warda" hair pins. I think this could be referred to with any of those names, but maybe Ayis has an opinion on what designation could be assigned to her brooch. I have found these old photos enormously useful in illustrating the old jewelry. The only caveat is that one needs to be cautious since the subjects of these portraits were often posed by western photographers who did not necessarily know or care how the jewelry was actually worn.
indeed Edith, these brooches are part of the many types ofcitadine brooches found in north africa, a direct legacy of theottomans who introduced diamonds (at least rose cut) into the region, most notably in Tunisia, to a lesser extent in Algeria and only one example of this type in North Morocco (tetuan and tangiers)
Silver or gold or both with reose cut diamonds, sometimes made in a flower shpae mounted on springs to allow the upper part to shake and make the stone glitter
As Edith says old colonial postcards and pictures are not always speaking truth, they were very often staged sometimes with the total absence of any ethnic authenticity and sometimes mixing jewels that comes from different ethnicities on the same model only to entice orientalism and folklore lovers
Furthermore models were almost exclusively recruited inside local brothels (as they were most friendly than local muslim interiors) and were not representative of the local ethnic taste, often wearing jewels from coutryside with citadine jewels and in huge number...
But still, these pictures are all very welcome to help any amateur to at least know how jewels were worn and to locate them in time!
Nice picture as always Edith!!!I love the scented beads necklace