Description

Bella decorated aluminium karagha plaque that adorns small leather pouches or is worn as a pendant.
Those who cannot afford silver have objects made in aluminium and traditional styles are preserved.
The metalsmith cuts out the shape in sheet metal and engraves a pattern on the surface.
Very good worn condition for this rather rare piece.
Collected in Agadez, Niger.

Width: 5,3 cm
Length: 8,7 cm

* The Bella ethnic group are nomadic herdsmen, living among the Tuareg in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

About the BELLA and TUAREG
Artistically, the Tuareg and the Bella do not produce any masks or figures. Instead, they create an impressive world of traditional, abstract, beautiful and functional objects in leather, wood, clay and metal.
Much of the art is in the form of jewellery, leather tent panels, curtain, large camel bags, elaborate teapots and sugar hammers, metal saddle adornments as well as finely crafted swords.  The Tuareg possess great skill to finely decorate and ingeniously convert everyday utilitarian objects distinguishable by their uniqueness, elaborate detail, and profound mysticism their jewellery is worn and appreciated and worn for its protective against the evil eye.