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 wearerâs 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in the 19th and early-20th century, when Paul Eudel recorded one in his Dictionary of North African Jewellery, but were superseded soon afterwards by a more elaborate form, and are now rare.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.