Obj. ID: 41051  Bride's Earrings, Tunis, circa 1900

The following description was prepared by William Gross:

The trade of jewelry making in gold and silver in Tunisia was largely in Jewish hands. This was true in most of the country, but particularly in Djerba. Most of the jewlery fashioned in gold was for the Jewish community while Arabs generally wore silver items. Many of the pieces of jewelry contained amuletic elements, particularly the hamsa, fish and birds. The level of skill was generally very high.

These two pieces of jewelry were hung as if they were earrings, but were in fact attached to a fabric band wound around the head of the bride. Nicely-fashioned from applied gold wire, the pieces carry both set stones and enamel fill. All of these are to adorn the Jewish bride on her wedding day. These adornments were for weddings and other celebratory occasions.