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Pitt Rivers Museum

2018.37.50.2

Head-dress side piece decoration formed of a silver metal linked chain, with an amulet of a glass bead and bells at either end. Worn with face veil 2018.37.50 .1. [AF [EFCF project] 30/10/2018]


2018.37.50.2

Digital asset copyright: Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford

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Collection type
Object
Description
Head-dress side piece decoration formed of a silver metal linked chain, with an amulet of a glass bead and bells at either end. Worn with face veil 2018.37.50 .1. [AF [EFCF project] 30/10/2018]
Geographical reference
Siwa
Cultural groups
Berber
Person
Maker Unknown Maker
Field collector Jenny Balfour-Paul
PRM source Jenny Balfour-Paul
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1989
Date collected
1989
Acquisition information
Donated: 03/03/2016
Materials and processes
Material Metal, Material Glass, Material Animal Hide Skin, Process Forged (Metal), Process Moulded, Process Twisted
Dimensions
Depth: max 40 mm, Width: max 80 mm, Length: max 2010 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 2018.37.50.2 Other numbers: E13
Research and responses

Amulets similar to those on this head-dress are described in 'Sand and Silver' by Margaret Mary Vale, Kelim Press, 2011, pp 66-68. The amulets on this head-dress are called ginglet. Most amulets and motifs will contain things in fives (e.g. hands). The number five khamsa is thought to have protective qualities against the evil eye. [AF [EFCF project] 30/10/2018]

[Multaka-Oxford Project Notes] Volunteer Dhamyaa, during her tours of the museum, discussed similar qualities around the number 7, to those of the North African khamsa in the amulets of Iraq and, in particular, the importance of protection against the 'envious eye'. [see record 1994.19.1] [AF [EFCF project] 16/9/2019]

Associated publications
Balfour-Paul, Jenny, Indigo in the Arab World, Routledge, 1997 [AF [EFCF project] 23/8/2019] Balfour-Paul, Jenny, Indigo: Egyptian Mummies to Blue Jeans by , British Museum Press, 1998 [AF [EFCF project] 23/8/2019]

Search terms: Textile, Clothing Headgear, Head Ornament, Clothing