Photos

Comments

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  Isabel Iglesias May 31, 2011 at 10:20pm

  Just beautiful...these fibulae!
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  Alaa eddine SAGID July 1, 2011 at 8:43pm

  this worm hole fibulas type is quite common, and were available in a great  number on the moroccan market. you ca not miss them since they have this very peculiar design at the base of the pin, somehow like a trident!

   

  the rarest one have lateral triangles and blue enamel in addition the carnelian cabochons for the dearest ones

   

  What is most interesting as i noted in one earlier post, is that this technique was very widespread across southern morocco and deep into the sahara towards the algerian border with the only difference that the more saharan ones have never bore any enamel.

   

  Enamel was a special feature that was added after the jewish/muslim silversmiths, fleeing the spanish inquisition, have forayed deep into the anti atlas since they could not settle down on northern cramped cities.

  It is an accepted statement that enamel in north africa was brought at that time and we can conclude that the worm technique was native and local before that time in this region maybe as early as the first jewish migrants settled in the region coming from nowadays libyan coast (they were fleeing another inquisition , a roman empire one)
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  Joost Daalder July 1, 2011 at 9:32pm

  Ayis, while indeed these pieces are not rare, I think it is nevertheless entirely understandable that the Metropolitan Museum, like any good private collector, would value these fibulae. One of the best aspects is that they are of a good early date, while there is so much recent Moroccan stuff of inferior quality on the market. And this pair is beautifully made! I also like the more "country-made" ones because they are gutsy, but ultimately I prefer the finesse and perfection of pieces like these!
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  Alaa eddine SAGID July 1, 2011 at 10:19pm

  i am ok with you 100%.

   

  but i thought it was worthy to note that these type of worm holes fibulas  were heavily produced in early times (maybe mid to late 19th) and despite their apparent fragility they made it in great number to modern days, retaining a great shape for the most of them!!!

   

  it seems as if the berber posessing these were treasuring them and could not despair with them as was the case for older jewelry to be melted to make newly designed models!
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  Joost Daalder July 1, 2011 at 10:25pm

  Yes, you are quite right, Ayis: wormhole fibulae are not rare. They are nevertheless desirable to collect, I think, as the quantity of course remains limited, and the demand will increase. Even more importantly: they are very good!!
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  Eva Baby July 28, 2011 at 2:37pm

  @very interesting, I am really fascinated to learn about this! I had not the slightest idea about this worm-hole techniques! Thanks for all the information!