Auction 81 - The Wily Lindwer Collection
- (-) Remove morocco filter morocco
Two pairs of fibulae with chains. Morocco, [20th century].
Silver, cast and engraved.
1. Apparently either from the Tafilalt Region, south-central Morocco, or from the region of the Draa Valley. Centers drop-shaped, encircled by flower-like decorations. Upper portions triangular, with engraved floral decorations. Suspension rings at bottoms, with suspended chain connecting pair of fibulae. 75X5.5 cm. Good condition.
2. Nador, central Rif region, northern coast of Morocco. Main ornament basically round in shape. In the centers are seven star-like images from which droplet-like elements, interspersed with crescents, radiate outward. Clover-like ornaments with suspension holes project from bottoms. Chain connecting pair of fibulae suspended from these holes. 82X4.5 cm. Good condition.
Reference: Jewish Life in Morocco, p. 235.
The purpose of the fibulae (known locally as "bzim" or "khellala") is to fasten shawls and sashes around the shoulder. This piece of jewelry, characteristic of North Africa, harkens back to the types of fibulae worn by women of this region back in the days of ancient Greece and Rome. Most often, a pair of fibulae would represent the primary piece of jewelry, especially among village women, and silversmiths invested great effort in adorning these items with the finest of decorative patterns.
The basic structure of the fibula is quite standard; the pin – no more than a large needle – originally a simple needle, quill, or prong holding the various parts of a garment together; the ring, whose job is to hold the needle in place; and the ornament, which may be triangular, round, or elliptical in shape. A decorative chain connects the two pins, and amulet cases or various types of pendants will at times dangle from this chain.
(For more on this subject, see Jewish Life in Morocco, p. 235).
Large single fibula and two pairs of fibulae. Morocco, [early 20th century].
Silver, cast and engraved; chased; silver thread; remnants of cloisonné enamel; glass.
1. Single fibula ("tisernas"). Aït Atta region, Draa Valley, southeastern Morocco. 21X11 cm. Good condition.
2. Pair of fibulae. Essaouira (Mogodur). At centers, blue glass stones. Vegetal patterns, with remnants of polychrome enamel. 9X3.5 cm. Good condition.
3. Pair of fibulae. Origin unknown, probably southern Morocco. At centers, red glass stones. 11X2 cm. Good condition.
The purpose of the fibulae (known locally as "bzim" or "khellala") is to fasten shawls and sashes around the shoulder. This piece of jewelry, characteristic of North Africa, harkens back to the types of fibulae worn by women of this region back in the days of ancient Greece and Rome. Most often, a pair of fibulae would represent the primary piece of jewelry, especially among village women, and silversmiths invested great effort in adorning these items with the finest of decorative patterns.
The basic structure of the fibula is quite standard; the pin – no more than a large needle – originally a simple needle, quill, or prong holding the various parts of a garment together; the ring, whose job is to hold the needle in place; and the ornament, which may be triangular, round, or elliptical in shape. A decorative chain connects the two pins, and amulet cases or various types of pendants will at times dangle from this chain.
(For more on this subject, see Jewish Life in Morocco, p. 235).
Two pairs of fibulae made from coins. Morocco, [late 19th century / early 20th century].
Silver, cast and engraved; silver coins, aluminum and copper-nickel; plastic beads.
1-2. Two fibulae (probably not originally a pair) made from silver coins. [Draa Valley?]. One fibula made from 10-dirham coin dated 1882; the other from 5-dirham coin dated 1903. Clover-like ornaments soldered onto either end of each coin. 8X3 cm, 10X3 cm. Good condition.
3. Pair of fibulae with chain bearing pendants. Todra (Todgha) Valley. Made from 20-franc coins dated 1947. Attached to chain, adjoining fibulae: pair of rectangular pendants resembling amulet cases; suspended from these are 1-franc coins dated 1951. Suspended from middle of chain: ring with two earlier pendants, one with pair of horseshoe-arch "windows, " and the other in form of ellipse (with floral pattern), tapering at end to thin needle. 92X3 cm (central pendant: 7.5 cm). Good condition.
The purpose of the fibulae (known locally as "bzim" or "khellala") is to fasten shawls and sashes around the shoulder. This piece of jewelry, characteristic of North Africa, harkens back to the types of fibulae worn by women of this region back in the days of ancient Greece and Rome. Most often, a pair of fibulae would represent the primary piece of jewelry, especially among village women, and silversmiths invested great effort in adorning these items with the finest of decorative patterns.
The basic structure of the fibula is quite standard; the pin – no more than a large needle – originally a simple needle, quill, or prong holding the various parts of a garment together; the ring, whose job is to hold the needle in place; and the ornament, which may be triangular, round, or elliptical in shape. A decorative chain connects the two pins, and amulet cases or various types of pendants will at times dangle from this chain.
(For more on this subject, see Jewish Life in Morocco, p. 235).
Outward-facing surface is convex, hence the association with a tortoise shell.
1. Silver (marked), cast and engraved; chased. Rose-window decoration at center, surrounded by vegetal patterns. Hand-shaped ornaments, all facing toward center, at edges of all four sides. 18X5.5 cm. Good condition.
2. Silver, cast, pierced, and engraved; chased. "Window" at center, shaped like Star of David, surrounded by pierced round holes. Above and below, at either end, two pierced, octagonal stars. Vegetal patterns. 11.5X4.5 cm. Good condition.
References: Morocco: Jews and Art in a Muslim Land, p. 156; Bijoux du Maroc (1999), p. 76.
Silver, cast and engraved; chased; low-grade silver or white metal.
1. Chest ornament (part of set of fibulae). Long chain; main element in shape of somewhat flattened ball, and with recurrent vegetal pattern. Approx. 75X4.5 cm.
2-3. Two bracelets, chased, with vegetal patterns. Silver, marked. 7X2 cm; 6.5X1.5 cm.
4. Small pendant, made of low-grade silver or white metal. Shaped like cylindrical box with removable lid. Contains sand from the Sahara Desert. 3.5X2 cm.