Mixed lot of jewellery ·  Tuareg · ID: 3049888

Description

1. small amulet with yarn strings and tassels, silver(?) sheet, chased and engraved, m: 4,6 cm x 5,2 cm; g: 35 g

2. diamond-shaped amulet with nine small pendants, nickel silver(?) / silver sheet, chased and engraved, m: 17 cm x 9 cm; w: 56 g

3. amulet, silver(?) sheet, engraved, m: 6,8 cm x 6,8 cm; w: 33 g

4. amulet with yarn strings, various non-ferrous metals, chased and engraved, m: 7,3 cm x 7,8 cm; w: 51 g

5. small amulet with strings of yarn, silver(?) sheet, chased and engraved, m: 4.3 cm x 4.8 cm; w: 12 g

6. small amulet, various metals and silver(?) sheet, engraved, ebony, m: 6,7 cm x 4 cm; w: 37 g

7. toiletry set, silver alloy(?), chased, m: 11,7 cm x 2 cm; w: 28 g

8. medical(?) instrument, silver alloy(?), chased, m: 15 cm x 3 cm; w: 47 g

9. medical(?) instrument, silver alloy(?), chased, m: 12,8 cm x 2,7 cm; w: 36 g

10. jewellery in the form of an ornamental key “asru n’ swul”, various metals, engraved, wood, leather, m: 23,5 cm x 7,0 cm; w: 116 g

Tuareg women fasten an “asru n’ swul” (literally, “key, that is slung over the shoulder”) to a corner of their headcloths and let it hang down the back as a counterweight. It symbolizes wealth and prestige.

Comparing literature

Borel, France, The Splendor of Ethnic Jewelry, New York 1994, p. 50 f.