Enquiry about object: 6478
Moroccan Pair of Silver Fibulae (Tisernas)
Berber People, Morocco 19th-20th century
length (each): 16.1cm, width (each): 11.1cm, combined weight: 162g
Provenance
European art market
– scroll down to see further images –
This fine pair of cast fibulae or cloak pins are of thickly cast and chiselled silver. They are pierced and have overtly serrated edges and each has an attached, central conical protuberance.
They are heavy in the hand, suggesting the wealthy of the owner, due to the amount of silver used to make them. They have wonderful wear and a fine patina.
The pair come from the Berber People but local Jewish women also wore similar silver fibulae.
See Rabate (2015, p. 137) for related examples.
They were used by Berber women to attach cloaks about their shoulders. Chains would have connected the two fibulae which would have hung down the chest of the wearer almost necklace like.
The pair here are in fine condition with plenty of evidence of age and wear.
References
Rabate, M., Bijoux du Maroc: Du Haut Atlas a la Vallee du Draa, ACR Edition, 2015.