“This is a pair of antique silver and gilt-silver filigreed anklets from Morocco. The overall shape is that of traditional anklets from the north western part of the country but the technique of filigree applied with silver-gilt and silver parts (‘Sun’ and ‘Moon’) was characteristic of the coastal cities from Casablanca to Essaouira in the south, with Asfi being a major centre for these. The fashion of wearing an anklet was much followed in major cities such as Fes, Meknes or Tangiers, but died out quite quickly after having been very popular from 1850 to 1925 (approximately). These anklets are made of solid silver with filigreed panels nailed on the outer surface after applying pieces of vivid red velvet fabric to act as a colour-contrast enhancer. Furthermore, tens of tiny silver birds are soldered to the wires to make the filigree skeleton sturdier (a very rare feature). Photographic evidence of these pieces [being worn] is very scarce, for the anklets were often hidden by long garments. However, Tapiro – the famous Spanish orientalist – gave us a very intimate picture of their use in his ‘Preparativos del casamiento dela hija del cherif en Tanger’ or ‘Preparation for the wedding of the daughter of the Cherif of Tangiers’, painted around 1871. The daughter of the city’s ruler is seen being prepared by servants for her wedding, with one ankle being adorned with such an anklet.” Alaa Eddine Sagid
Anklets from Morocco
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