Pair of Tuareg silver bracelets, Niger

Old pair of Tuareg silver bracelets, called  Alkis (bracelet), from Niger.

This solid silver bracelets are worn by women, and it’s the heaviest type of bracelet for the Tuareg. It consists of an open ring whose two ends terminates in a tip of polyhedral shape having 12 facets. They are worn in pairs, having both the same shape, size and designs. This type of bracelets is widespread in Azawagh, Iwellemmeden Kel-Dinnick, Niger.

Patterns on the 12 facets are always taken on the same model: square faces are decorated with striations and triangular faces are decorated with three small circles. The square shaped flat bottom comprises various small geometrical designs which are generally the same for both ends of the bracelet.

These bracelets can also be worn as anklets; this once was the case for slaves, but in that case the bracelets are larger, heavier and usually made of brass.

High grade silver (tested).

From the first half of the XXth Century.

Provenance: ex-German private collection.

Size: 7 x 6,5 cm (each)
Weight (both): 343,7 gr

Literature:

“Bijoux tuaregs”, Burner, Jean, Éditions du Fournel, 2011, p. 246
“Bracelets ethniques d’afrique, d’Asie d’Océanie et d’Amérique”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2002, p.37

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