Description

Tuareg silver tizabaten earrings.
Tizabaten are the traditional hoops worn by Tuareg women and are a woman’s form of portable wealth.
The twelve-faceted tips,’eraf wa n tesabit’are protective amulets against the evil eye and are superbly detailed.
Some nickel content – Mid-late 20th century.

Diameter ear gage: 5 mm
Finials: 16 x 17 mm
Inner diameter: 38 mm
Weight: 110 g

References:
ART OF BEING TUAREG Ed. by Thomas K. Seligman and Kristyne Loughran (2006) p. 169
Magische Ornamente Silberschmuck der Tuareg, Museum Rietberg Zürich (2003) p. 67
Bijoux touaregs, Art et bijoux ancients du Sahel et du Sahara au Niger, Jean Burner, ed. Fournel (2011) p. 218

About the TUAREG
The Tuareg are a traditionally nomadic Berber people of the Sahara who live mainly in Mali, Niger, Algeria, and Libya.
The wide range of Tuareg art forms, reflects their desert environment and cultural identify.
Tuareg silversmiths produce intricate jewellery, not only in the form of crosses, pendants, rings, but also bracelets.
Jewellery is not onl adornment, but also functions as protection against evil forces, illness and bad luck.
Decorated with geometric motifs, traditional symbols and Tifinagh script, Tuareg jewellery, amulets and adornment are foremost, very unique.