Description

Tuareg Agadez crosses earrings in an unusual combination of brass and silver.
These old earrings are elaborately decorated with fine hand-stamped motifs.
Ear gauge of approximately 1,5 mm, typical of old ethnic earrings.
Collected in Niger.

Width: 4,2 cm
Length: 6 cm
Weight: 31,4 g

About the TUAREG
The Tuareg are a traditionally nomadic Berber people of the Sahara who live mainly in Mali, Niger, Algeria, and Libya.
Tuareg art forms, reflect their desert environment and deep cultural identify, Islamic influences are also evident.
The art and jewellery of the Tuareg, is not only aesthetic and functional, but also reflect everyday life.
Silversmiths produce intricate jewellery, not only in the form of crosses, pendants, rings, but also bracelets.
Perhaps one of their most recognisable symbols of Tuareg jewellery is the Agadez cross.
The Tuareg are highly superstitious and because of this, they wear a variety of jewellery, such as rings, amulets and talismans.
These may enclose Koranic verses, sand from the Sahara or even magic script in the form of a rolled scroll.
Jewellery serves as protection against evil forces and illness as well bad luck.
Decorated with geometric motifs, traditional symbols and Tifinagh script, Tuareg jewellery, amulets and adornment are foremost, very unique.