Pair of Shoulder Brooches
1800-1850 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The Kabyles are a Berber people from the Atlas mountains in North Eastern Algeria. The brooches are made of silver and would have been attached to a woman's robe with the pin and ring device at the top of each brooch. The piece is decorated with brightly coloured enamelled filigree and set with corals. Coral was believed to contain baraka (good luck) and to protect children and communities from evil.
This brooch was probably made by a Jewish silversmith as the Berbers thought working with metal was an inferior occupation. The filigree and enamelling techniques used here ware introduced to North Africa in the late fifteenth century by Jewish immigrants fleeing persecution in Europe. Jewish silversmiths dominated jewellery making in North Africa until the late nineteenth century.
This brooch was probably made by a Jewish silversmith as the Berbers thought working with metal was an inferior occupation. The filigree and enamelling techniques used here ware introduced to North Africa in the late fifteenth century by Jewish immigrants fleeing persecution in Europe. Jewish silversmiths dominated jewellery making in North Africa until the late nineteenth century.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver decorated with enamel filigree and coral |
| Brief description | A pair of shoulder brooches linked by a chain, Algeria (Kabyle), 1800-1850 |
| Physical description | Two triangular silver brooches linked by a chain. The chain has a square scent case in the centre with three disc shaped pendants hanging from it. All the pieces are decorated with blue, green and yellow enamel and coral. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Accessions register entry: 'Ornament of enamelled silver set with coral, consisting of two brooches (ifizimen) for fastening the dress (aaban) on the shoulders, united by a chain with pendant scent-case. The brooches of penannular type have ornamental triangular plates to which the ends are attached; the chain consists of circular and spindle-shaped links united by rings. The square scent-case has three disc pendants hanging from rings. The surfaces are enriched with blue, green, and yellow enamel in cloisons, and the brooches and scent-case are set with pieces of coral. Price: £5. See Barclay, E. "Mountain Life in Algeria" 1882 Mrs. William Simpson, 19 Church Road, Willesden. Received 13th February 1900. Authority: Sir W. De W. Abney's on R.P. 81725/1900.' Letter in register: 'My husband bought the little cap [739-1900], breast ornament [736-1900] & head dress [735-1900], with large ear-rings [737&A-1900, 738&A-1900] from Turkestan, when with Sir Peter Lumsden in 1884 & 5. Also heavy bracelets [733&A-1900]. The shawl fastener [732-1900] & brooch [731-1900], are of Kabyle workmanship & I brought them from Algiers. Kabyle jewelry will be known by having coral & turquoise settings - Turkestan, by cornelian in silver' |
| Summary | The Kabyles are a Berber people from the Atlas mountains in North Eastern Algeria. The brooches are made of silver and would have been attached to a woman's robe with the pin and ring device at the top of each brooch. The piece is decorated with brightly coloured enamelled filigree and set with corals. Coral was believed to contain baraka (good luck) and to protect children and communities from evil. This brooch was probably made by a Jewish silversmith as the Berbers thought working with metal was an inferior occupation. The filigree and enamelling techniques used here ware introduced to North Africa in the late fifteenth century by Jewish immigrants fleeing persecution in Europe. Jewish silversmiths dominated jewellery making in North Africa until the late nineteenth century. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 732-1900 |
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| Record created | March 28, 2007 |
| Record URL |
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