Author
Unknown
Publication Date
1850
Publication Place
Kabyle (made) -
Subject
Jewellery Metalwork Africa Islam Judaism
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
Maximum width: 8.7cm, Maximum length: 18.7cm
Library
Victoria and Albert Museum
Library Asset ID
666-1893
Record ID
666-1893
Library Location
Middle East Section
Date
1850
Notes
This silver fibula would have been worn by a Kabyle woman in the first half of the nineteenth century. The Kabyles are a Berber people from the Atlas Mountains in North Eastern Algeria. The front and back are decorated with a pattern of silver wire forming spaces filled with enamel or coral. To one side of the brooch is a fixed pin with an open ring that would have been used to attach the brooch. It was originally one of a pair, which were worn on the front of the body, just below the shoulders, to hold the wearerâs dress together. The two fibulae would have been linked by a chain attached to the loop at the top. This brooch was probably made by a Jewish silversmith. In the late fifteenth century many Jewish people immigrated to North Africa. The Jewish population dominated the silversmithing profession and bought with them many new jewellery techniques (such as enamelling) which they handed down from generation to generation.
Sample Text
Transliteration,
Malzemeler ve teknikler
Silver enamelled on both sides in dark blue, green and ochre and set with coral cabochons Silver Enamel Coral Enamelling
Fiziksel açıklama
Silver fibula pin with penannular guard ring. The pin has a flat triangular head and is decorated on both sides with black, green and ochre cloisonné enamel in applied filigree surrounds. The front is also set with seven corals in closed mounts. There is a loop riveted to the top of the triangle. The pin is also riveted to the head, at the bottom, and has a loop at its top for the guard. The ring guard is made of thick wire and has a flat coral in a closed mount at each end.
