Heavy silver belt, Libya

Foldable silver belt from Libya, called Hzam-l-bishkouti. The belt buckle bears two Fatima hands, which gives extra protection against evil eye. These belts were in use mainly in Algeria, from where they traveled to Tripoli when they became fashionable. It was very much favored by Jewish ans Muslim Tripolitan women alike. While Jewish Tripolitan women wore it with a simple traditional outfit, Muslim Tripolitan women used to wear it for special occasions -mostly weddings- as it complemented the jewelry of the opulent traditional outfit.

Made of gilded high grade silver, casted and cut to form vegetal decoration. Each of the elements composing this belt is hallmarked on the back (Tripoli stamp) for silver purity.

From the first half of the XXth century or earlier.

Provenance: European private collection.

Dimensions:

Belt buckle: 7 x 6,5 cm
Length:96 cm (but it can also be worn smaller, as there are holes all around the belt)
Width: 5 cm

Weight: 544,4 gr

References:

“L’argent de la lune”, Makilan, 2015, p. 174
“Jewelry and adornment of Libya”, Ghellali, Hala, blkvld, 2024, p. 121

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