21 Taureg Emblems

[Bill M]

50x40cm. Embossed leather frame. Seem to be some silver alloy, possibly coin silver. Are these emblems/symbols familiar? I recognize a few.

[Jim McDougall]

Most definitely Tuareg items, cross of Agadez dead giveaway.
Look for the huge book "Africa Adorned" by Angela Fisher.
Lots of illustrations of these type jewelry items.

[Bill M]

Most definitely Tuareg items, cross of Agadez dead giveaway.
Look for the huge book "Africa Adorned" by Angela Fisher.
Lots of illustrations of these type jewelry items.

Thank you. Jim. Just ordered the book.

I was hoping that these might help with symbols on weapons. To better identify areas and tribes.

[ward]

These are desert compasses nice mix

[Bill M]

These are desert compasses nice mix

Ward, can you give more information?

[Jim McDougall]

You're very welcome Bill. The book is magnificent, and the detail on African material culture is outstanding as the styles in jewelry reflect much of the symbolism and geometrics often found on weapons. It certain degree the same associations are sometimes found with such symbolism in the rugs of Persia and Central Asia and the symbolic motif sometimes on the weapons. I think it is in Tarussuk & Blair concerning the flyssa that the symbolism found on Kabyle rugs has certain associations with the markings on them.
I do know that in the Fisher book, there is particular attention given to the 'fibula'.

Ward, I too would like to know more on the compass application of these. I have seen the 'Agadez' cross in wide variation, and it of course occurs in various application in the material culture of Tuaregs such as on the horn of ther saddles. Would this information be found in Nicholsen?

All best regards,
JIm

[Dom]

Hi Gentlemen
please, don't ask for me to translate ;)
I'm not at all italian speaker, or just as frenchy :rolleyes:
I got that on the net, but "where" :confused:

expecting to tease your curiosity :p

Regards

à +

Dom

[fernando]

Hi Gentlemen
please, don't ask for me to translate ;)
I'm not at all italian speaker, or just as frenchy :rolleyes:
I got that on the net, but "where" :confused:

expecting to tease your curiosity :p

Regards

à +

Dom

Superb, Dom :cool:

[ward]

These are found in southern Morocco southern Algeria and in Maritania. I have been told by locals that they used as a type of sundial. I have a few of them in my wifes collection will take pics when I get a chance a lot of these in the 20th century were made in Tiznit for export into the Sahara regions previously they were made from melted Maria Thersa thalers. So newer are sterling older either sterling or 800. The group you have in your pic looks of very nice workmanship.

[Jim McDougall]

Just bumped this to the top in hopes these three threads might produce some thoughts or observations.

[ward]

there is a similar pic on web

http://www.raken.com/style/eng/historique/touareg.asp

[ward]

apparently this set is sold in souqs in west africa. I did not relize they were used that far west interesting learned something new


http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-109904178.html

[Tim Simmons]

These and similar symbols are found on artifacts made for themselves and the Tuareg by artists and craftspeople in most of the countries of the River Niger bend, so that includes many other people like the Fulani.