Necklace with suspended chains consisting of hamsas and other types of pendants (Sharka Kabira / Charka Kbira Fodda). Tunisia, [first half of 20th century].
Silver, cast and engraved; chased; silver wire; granulation; glass.
Elegant necklace consisting of 45 pendants and links. Base of necklace composed of five rectangular links, decorated with silver wire and red glass beads. Links connected to each other with four pins, each with small hamsa pendant. Connected (by ring-links) to the rectangular links are five 5-point stars, two with green glass beads and three decorated with silver wire and granulation. Suspended from the stars are nine chains with hamsa pendants, and round pendants decorated with different forms of star-and-crescent patterns. Five of these chains bear large pendants, and the remaining four have slightly smaller ones.
Approx. 20X24 cm. One small ornament (made from silver wire and granulation) missing.
Reference: Le bijou traditionnel en Tunisie, p. 24.