Big silver ornament worn on the back of the head attached to the headdress as an amulet, to protect against evil eye. Used by the Tuaregs Tel-Aïr, from Niger. It is also used as pectoral in the Hoggar region, and as temporal in certain occasions.
The five triangular small pendants have also a protective meaning. One of them is missing in the central lower pendant.
From the 1st half of the 20th century.
Materials: Silver, leather, copper, brass, and iron on the back.
Provenance: German private collection.
Dimensions:
Total height with leather cord: 54 cm
Size of the biggest amulet: 13,5 x 16 cm
Literature:
“Jewelry from the Orient (Bir Collection)”, Seiwert, Wolf Dieter, Arnoldsche, 2009
“Bijoux tuaregs”, Burner, Jean, Éditions du Fournel, 2011, p.163-5
“Colliers ethniques d’Afrique d’Asie, d’Océanie et d’Amérique”, Leurquin, Anne, Skira, 2003, p. 52
“Tuaregs. Nòmades del desert“, Fundació la Caixa, 2002, p.131
WA147
