Forehead ornament

Title Forehead ornament
Author Unknown
Publication Date: 1850
Publication Place Algeria (made) Aurès (worn) -
Subject Jewellery Africa Metalwork
Type Other
Language Undetermined
Digital Yes
Manuscript No
Physical Dimensions Width: 4cm, Length: 18.2cm
Library: Victoria and Albert Museum
Library Asset ID 363-1904
Record ID 363-1904
Library Location Middle East Section
Date 1850
Notes This silver plaque was originally the centre-piece of a diadem worn as part of the traditional costume of the women of Aurés. The hook at the top would have been hooked into the wearer’s headdress, above the forehead, and the two long chains at the sides would also have had hooks at their ends which would have attached it at the sides or back of the head. The chains hanging down at the front would have ended in small pendants or amulets. These pendants were almost always set with a red coral, or some kind of imitation, in the centre. Headdresses like this were probably common in the 19th and early-20th century, when Paul Eudel recorded one in his Dictionary of North African Jewellery, but were superseded soon afterwards by a more elaborate form, and are now rare.
Malzemeler ve teknikler Cast and pierced silver set with a piece of coral Silver Coral Incising Piercing
Fiziksel açıklama Cast and pierced flat circular silver pendant with scalloped edges and a fan-shaped base. It has a piece of coral in red lacquer set in the centre. The top is elongated to form a backward hook. There are three short lengths of chain hanging from holes in the lower edge of the fan, and a continuous loop of chain on each side, attached at each end to holes on the scalloped edge.
View in source Victoria and Albert Museum Victoria and Albert Museum - Ottoman library catalog search
Victoria and Albert Museum - Ottoman library catalog search Victoria and Albert Museum

Forehead ornament

Author Unknown
Publication Date 1850
Publication Place Algeria (made) Aurès (worn) -
Subject Jewellery Africa Metalwork
Type Other
Language Undetermined
Digital Yes
Manuscript No
Physical Dimensions Width: 4cm, Length: 18.2cm
Library Victoria and Albert Museum
Library Asset ID 363-1904
Record ID 363-1904
Library Location Middle East Section
Date 1850
Notes This silver plaque was originally the centre-piece of a diadem worn as part of the traditional costume of the women of Aurés. The hook at the top would have been hooked into the wearer’s headdress, above the forehead, and the two long chains at the sides would also have had hooks at their ends which would have attached it at the sides or back of the head. The chains hanging down at the front would have ended in small pendants or amulets. These pendants were almost always set with a red coral, or some kind of imitation, in the centre. Headdresses like this were probably common in the 19th and early-20th century, when Paul Eudel recorded one in his Dictionary of North African Jewellery, but were superseded soon afterwards by a more elaborate form, and are now rare.
Malzemeler ve teknikler Cast and pierced silver set with a piece of coral Silver Coral Incising Piercing
Fiziksel açıklama Cast and pierced flat circular silver pendant with scalloped edges and a fan-shaped base. It has a piece of coral in red lacquer set in the centre. The top is elongated to form a backward hook. There are three short lengths of chain hanging from holes in the lower edge of the fan, and a continuous loop of chain on each side, attached at each end to holes on the scalloped edge.
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