Extremely Rare Pair of Moroccan Anti-Atlas Niello Fibulae

This pair of Moroccan fibulae is particularly rare – indeed, now almost impossible to find as a pair and in this condition.

The styling and method of manufacture allow their origins to be pinpointed to several adjacent villages – Ida ou Nadif, Ida it Semlal and Ida ou Kennous, in Morocco’s Anti-Atlas region – which produced idiosyncratic fibulae in this manner and of which very few are known. And of this type of fibulae, the triangular shape of the pair here are among the rarest. The pair is also relatively large, indicative of high status.

Each is made with cast brass with a high copper content and in a triangular or star-like form, over which a sheet of silver is pinned. The silver is decorated with engraving and niello work, and then further embellished with the addition of a red glass cabochon in a high box setting.

Specifically, this type of fibulae were worn within a small region by the Chleuh (or Shilha), an indigenous Berber or Amazigh group that primarily inhabit the High Atlas, Anti-Atlas, and Souss valley regions of southern Morocco. Originally, they were organised into small independent republics governed by elders.

A similar though lesser pair are illustrated in Draguet (2020, p. 347), and a single example is illustrated in Rabate (2015, p. 87).

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 and have very obvious, significant age.