Three "shairia" (or "chiirya" / "sha'riyeh") necklaces. Djerba, Tunisia, [first half of 20th century].
Silver (marked; parcel gilt); sheet silver (parcel gilt), repoussé (by mold), silver thread and silver strips; filigree; glass; cotton.
Three necklaces sewn onto cotton bands, with numerous pendants. Such necklaces were worn around the neck and were donned by women in Tunisia and Libya.
1. Large necklace with seventeen short suspended chains with small pendants, and three long chains with large, crescent-shaped pendants, which, in turn, have large hamsa pendants suspended from them, each with a colored glass bead. Approx. 35X25 cm.
2. Medium-sized necklace with eighteen short suspended chains with small pendants, and three additional chains with large crescent-shaped pendants that have large hamsa-shaped pendants suspended from them. Approx. 20X20 cm.
3. Small necklace with sixteen short suspended chains with small pendants, and two additional chains with large crescent-shaped pendants that have large hamsa-shaped pendants suspended from them. Approx. 8X11 cm.
Reference: Le bijou traditionnel en Tunisie, p. 24. See also: Israel Museum Collection, item no. B92.0856.