Antique Africa Tuareg Tribal Silver Niger Woman Earring Piercing Ethnic Jewelry

Description

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A majestic museum quality old and fine Tuareg Tsabit or Tizabaten silver hoop. This kind of earrings were currency, so woman wear as much as she has, 3 or 5 does no matter. They wear not only in ears, but in their hair or on their clothes too. If they needed they payed with them. Therefore it is really hard to find 2 matching pieces. Probably they dont even produced in pairs in the old times. The design is purely Tuareg - traditional faceted knobs, known as "elkiss" display superb incised, stamped, as well as in relief geometric designs and patterns. Of high grade workmanship these hoops would form part of a Tuareg Woman's movable wealth or Tizabaten, and were highly appreciated and esteemed. Smaller Tizabaten or Tsabit are worn by young girls, large hoops such as this is worn by a more mature and older Tuareg woman.
The diameter of ear post for the ear measures approximately 4 mms and the square finials or elkiss measure 14 x 15 mms. Inner diameter of hoops is of 35 mms.
Weight 26 gramms.
NOTE: A similar pair of tizabaten appears in "ART OF BEING TUAREG" Ed. by Thomas K. Seligman and Kristyne Loughran (2006) p. 206; also, Magische Ornamente Silberschmuck der Tuareg, Museum Rietberg Zürich (2003) p. 67. Excellent patina of age and usage - Collected in Niger.   Origin: Tuareg, Touareg ethnic group - MALI, NIGER
Age: 19th century
Material: Silver alloy
Condition details: Good with rich patina of age and usage. You are buying one piece, not a pair.
The last photo shows how these earrings were traditionally worn; not the items listed for sale.. See 'Africa Adorned' by Angela Fisher p. 202.
Worldwide shipping with priority registered mail 3-8 weeks.