Object Details
- Label Text
- The Berber peoples can be found from Morocco's Atlantic coast to the Siwa Oasis on the western Egyptian border. While not homogenous, they do share a language (with dialects). The Kabyle are Berbers who live in the mountainous Kabylie region of northeastern Algeria. While primarily farmers, the Kabyle are known for their cloisonné-enameled jewelry, weaving and pottery. Unlike most other Berber jewelers, Kabyle artisans are predominantly Muslim. It is thought that their techniques came from Moorish Spain. Pieces are usually made of silver alloy decorated with blue, yellow and green enamel and bezel set with real coral, or more recently, with colored glass or plastic cabochons. Braided or twisted wire borders the enameled areas, with added spherical beads of silver.
- As among all the Berber peoples, jewelry serves as dowry and portable family wealth in the form of pendants, rings, bracelets, anklets, earrings and headdresses. In addition to their decorative charm, the dramatic brooches embellish the practical function of holding wrapped outer clothing together.
- The use of coins as a source of silver can be clearly seen on the reverse of this small brooch, where an actual coin, a French "Walking Liberty," forms the disk base for the object.
- Description
- Small brooch, fibula type with pin and C-clasp, based on a French "Walking Liberty" coin with a center of bezel-set red coral bordered by applied silver alloy spherical beads; with five pendants in yellow and blue cloisonné enamel and red coral.
- Provenance
- Collected in Algiers, 1963-1964
- Nancy Berg, Fairfax, Virginia, 1963-1964 to 2000
- Content Statement
- As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
- Image Requests
- High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
- Data Source
- National Museum of African Art
- Maker
- Kabyle artist
- Date
- Mid 20th century
- Credit Line
- Gift of Nancy Berg
- Medium
- Silver alloy, coral, enamel
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 8.6 x 4.7 x 1.3 cm (3 3/8 x 1 7/8 x 1/2 in.)
- Type
- Textile and Fiber Arts
