Berber Ring Ornament

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Berber Ring Ornament

Posted by Edith D on May 2, 2012 at 3:06pm

Usually I don't use the word "Berber" because I think it is over-applied to Tunisian jewelry. However, I use the term for this ornament without hesitation. This ornament appears on necklaces, pectoral chains, and most impressively on a type of temporal ornament called "tmayem." The tmayem temporals typically include 4 or 5 of these attached to leather straps with beads and coral on either side of the head. These ring ornaments are typically found in the rural southern areas of Tunisia.

Comments

Edith D May 2, 2012 at 3:28pm

Here is a photo of a tmayem (along with other ornaments) at a Berber museum in Tamerzet. It is virtually impossible to find these ornaments in complete form on the open market.
ait ouakli May 2, 2012 at 3:57pm

look great
Marie-Ange May 2, 2012 at 4:48pm

Am drooling over that picture from the museum.........
Ethnic Embellishments May 2, 2012 at 5:25pm

Kudos Edith, fantastic documentation once again. And talking about "dripping with jewels"! The former owner of this set must have had lots of protection from the evil eye with all of those hamsas.
Edith D May 2, 2012 at 5:59pm

Yes, I thought this very tiny museum was amazing! The khamsehs are attached to a series of pectoral chains hung on the model (separate from the tmayem ornaments). These have scented beads and charms.

The museum guide figured that just the branch coral on the tmayem would be worth over 4000 TD! Unfortunately, I think this has made the dismantling of these pieces more likely since it is easier to sell the components than the entire assemblage. Nice that there are a few tmayems still in the museums!
Edith D May 2, 2012 at 6:04pm

Here is another interesting photo of a wedding shawl in the same museum. Note the design of the tmayem embroidered into the shawl!
ann May 2, 2012 at 9:54pm

Textiles and khamsas superb. Don't the khamsas look wonderful on a dark blue/burgundy background?

Phew, I love that picture Edith.
Eva Baby May 3, 2012 at 10:54am

I love the museum photos attached below! They are gorgeous! !Hope everyone will see them! They are really fantastic and would merit to be shown as single pictures, especially the one with the khamsas. One could fall in love with it...!

Photos

Berber Ring Ornament

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