Fibula, One of a Pair

Unknown

first half 20th century · Silver, coral, and imitation coral · Islamic Art

Perhaps the best-known form of North African Berber jewelry is the fibula. Such pins were worn at the shoulder to fasten cloth garments. While coral was a much valued gemstone in Amazigh (Berber) culture, plastic imitation is often found as an affordable substitute in jewelry from the twentieth century. The shape of this particular ornament is sometimes referred to as bzaïm.

Artist

Unknown

Date

first half 20th century

Medium

Silver, coral, and imitation coral

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Bequest of Helen Winslow Durkee Mileham, 1954