Diadem

Unknown

late 19th–20th century · Silver, enamels, coral · Islamic Art

The bright polychrome enamels ornamenting the surface of this object reveal that it was created by the Kabyle people, an Amazigh (Berber) group in Algeria. Head ornaments such as this example would have been worn as a diadem, wrapped around the forehead, the pendants falling just at the top of the eyebrow. Red coral was a favorite gemstone of the Kabyle culture, though imitation gems in glass or plastic were common substitutes.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 19th–20th century

Medium

Silver, enamels, coral

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Gift of Julian Clarence Levi, 1966