Early 1900's Vintage Moroccan Berber Woman's Enameled Silver Hirz Amulet, Pendant, Focal Point, Bead

Early 1900's vintage moroccan berber woman's enameled silver hirz amulet, pendant, focal point, bead 51.7 grams. An old berber silver and enamel talisman hirz pendant from the area of tiznit tafraoute in the western anti atlas in southern morocco. Measurements are approximately 2" wide by 2 1/4" tall and 3/8 thick. It features a back- side faceted 10mm red glass cabochon believed to protect the wearer. The pendant would typically contain some verses from the holy quran to protect its owner from evil.

Protection would also be afforded by the use of pointed shapes in the design. Other names for hirz are kitab, gris-gris, boîte à coran. Green and yellow enamel work embellishes the face of this hirz along with the red glass cabochon.

The main design elements are rows of twisted wire as borders, one on either side of the pendant and four across. Above the top border is a row of six half circles created with fine twisted wire and filled with enamels alternating in yellow and green. Below this is a wire border with a silver bead at far left and right. Below this is a row of four twisted wire circles with each having another smaller circle within it. The background is green and the outer circles are filled with yellow. The inner circles may have been filled with enamel but that has since eroded. Just below is a wire border with a silver bead on the far right.

This design repeats below the red glass gem. A red glass cabochon is set in the center row.

Flanking this are two raised cones. The one on the right is in fair shape. It is made up of four petal like shapes of twisted wire with the narrow ends meeting at the top and finished off with a single round bead of silver. The silver bead is missing on the left cone. The lower edge has a large center bead of silver in the middle flanked by to angled half circles and a smaller wire circle below it.

I see traces of green enamel in this section. Above this, on the border to the left and right are two smaller beads of silver. The opening across the top measures roughly 4mm by 6mm which would accommodate a heavy cord or chain easily. Acid test result is light red indicating 80- 90% silver which is just below sterling quality. The silver has a soft, weathered patina with scratches and indentations on the back which is typical for a piece of this age and use.

Many berbers call themselves some variant of the word imazighen (singular: amazigh), possibly meaning "free people" or free and noble men. Today, most berber-speaking people live in morocco and algeria.

This hirz has been protector to many over the years, imbued with some part of every life it has touched and can be given a new life again in the right hands. Thank you for visiting and taking the time to read the entire listing. There is much more on the way from my collection of gallery treasures. Please ask if you are looking for something special.

I just might have exactly what you need or i may be able to make it for you. Here is a link back to my shop if you would like to see my other treasures. If you need a gauge to measure items.

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This item is made of silver.