Featured Interesting badge, pendant. silver. Need help.

Silver. Help determine the history of this pendant. Size 40x38 mm. What does the Form say?

 

It is a 'cross of the south', a Berber symbol. It is often equated with the Southern Cross constellation.
These filigree crosses are made a lot in Morocco-Tunisia-Algeria. Yours is not very old, but a nice symbol.

The Berbers (including the Tuareg) have several types of cross symbols, often to symbolize the directions and finding your way back home, or introspectively, finding your way to yourself. This cross is one of the favourites.

 

AJ you are simply amazing with all the info you share here.

 

Thank you pearls.
There are many people here who share what they know though.

 

Thank you !!! You are better than Wikipedia

 

You're welcome, Stepan.

Very kind of you to say, but I know that isn't true.

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/971876...llery-1-10&from_market_listing_grid_organic=1

 

If yours was also made in the 70s, it was made in a pivotal period for the Tuareg.
The Tuareg traditionally made solid silver pieces, engraved or chased with geometrical motifs, all rich in symbolism.

In the 70s there was a terrible drought in the Sahara and Sahel region, resulting in famine. Many nomadic Tuareg were forced to settle in one place, where there was aid.
I was told that during this time some of the Inaden, the hereditary silversmiths, adopted styles from other Berber groups, and sold their work through organizations to make a living for their families. Berber filigree was always a favourite with tourists. That is why some Tuareg Inaden came to make filigree, like many other Berber silversmiths.

 

@Any Jewelry - What totally amazes me is how you keep all the minute interesting details straight.

I was an OR nurse for 17 years & this morning while working a crossword puzzle I could not remember the word edema. What's worse is I take Lasix daily for this very problem.

 

Peggy, DH and I have the same problem. I was trying to think of the name of a town. Came up with buildings, street names, etc. Then about 5 minutes later came up with the name of the town. I write it off to old age!

 

Only on some subjects, for the rest I am just like you.
I do like to know more about the background of items, and I have a modest Tuareg jewellery collection myself. I had been thinking of posting some Tuareg 'stuff', but I never got around to photographing any of them. (To do list )

About the Tuareg, my mother was already very interested in them, so our family got involved in an aid project during the famine. We heard stories you never forget. Not just of the pain, but also of the grace, the inner strength, and the sense of decorum they had in times of hardship. And they never lost their eye for beauty, still composing impromptu poetry when they saw a beautiful sunset. A truly amazing people.

 

I think knowing the background of the items you collect makes them so much more special & interesting.

I have one of those lists.

 

Absolutely!

As long as your arm? Or two? (I daren't ask more... )

 

The background is what makes them worth collecting.

As for the list, it's plural. Lists. In quantity. (rolleyes)

 

I need a list for all my lists.

 

And again I am. Silver.

 

Made by hobbyist,student,etc.