Tuareg Silver Tsabit Hoops Tizabaten, Niger Mali

Description

A beautifully patinated pair of Tuareg Tuareg tsabit or tizabaten silver hoops.
The faceted knobs, known as “elkiss” still display the hand-stamped pattern, though much of it has worn smooth with time.
Tizabaten form part of a Tuareg woman’s movable wealth, and are highly esteemed. Smaller tizabaten or tsabit are worn by young girls, large hoops such as these, were worn by an older woman.
The dimensions of the ear posts are approximately 4 mm by 2 mm and the square finials or elkiss measure 15 x 15 mm, inner diameter of hoops is of 3,7 cm (1 5/8″).
NOTE: A similar pair of tizabaten appears in “ART OF BEING TUAREG” Ed. by Thomas K. Seligman and Kristyne Loughran (2006) p. 206; also, Magische Ornamente Silberschmuck der Tuareg, Museum Rietberg Zürich (2003) p. 67.
These tribally used tsabit from the early to mid 20th century possess an excellent patina , and were collected in Mali.

Inner diameter of hoops: 3,7 cm (1 5/8″)
Weight: 53,5 grams (1.89 oz)