Berbers are inhabitants of the Maghreb, which means west or the setting sun in Arabic and are the only white-skinned African race. They were driven from their fertile land to the less hospitable slopes of the Anti-Atlas mountains and onto the fringes of the Sahara desert after the invasion of the Arabs between the 8th and 11th century. Eventhough they embrace the muslim faith they still maintain the tradition of openly seeking partners at the annual 'Moussem' of Imichil fair. Girls and young men must wait for a year to be married if they found a partner but widowed or divorced women could be married instantly at the fair. Young girls wear rounded hoods to show that they are virgins but the widowed or divorced wear decorative pointed hoods.

Berber jewellery were made by silver smiths from the middle east who had a dominant role in jewellery making in North Africa and the near east. These smiths who were expelled from Spain in the 15th century settled as far south as the Anti-Atlas region. The technique they brought with them from Andalusia included cloisonne, enamelling, niello decoration and gem stones setting.This bracelet of yellow and green enamel is chracteristic of the Tiznit region of Morocco.

This is a Mauritanian style silver bracelet, adorned with soldered silver balls, traditionally worn by Touareg women in Mali. The design arrived with the Moors, who fled here during a brutal drought. 

Diameter: 6cm

Berber jewellery were made by silver smiths from the middle east who had a dominant role in jewellery making in North Africa and the near east. These smiths who were expelled from Spain in the 15th century settled as far south as the Anti-Atlas region. The technique they brought with them from Andalusia included cloisonne, enamelling, niello decoration and gem stones setting.This bracelet of yellow and green enamel is chracteristic of the Tiznit region of Morocco.

Three very unusual Kohl brass ornaments for women.They are incised and designed like pillars mounted with a cross like Tuareg motif.

Tuareg crosses (Croix du sud) come in different shapes and motifs and they are named after oasis towns in Niger. They are passed down from father to son when the boy reached puberty. He says to his son that he has given him the four corners of the world where one would not know where one would end up. This powerful amulets can also be converted as a form of currency in times of need to buy cattle, clothing or food. The Agadez cross is best known of all crosses. The engraving of a round circle in the centre represents the eye of a chameleon which is symbolic of power and the jackal tracks along the four sides is symbolic of craftiness.