Antique Silver Berber Single Temporal Ornament Signed Moshe Mazoz

This rare item is a single antique temporal ornament. Worn traditionally by Tunisian and Libyan women in pairs around the temples balanced with a cord around the head or hanging from the headdress. See the last picture of an old postcard to see how this was part of a woman's jewelry.

Its Arabic name, khoras Saguiroha, literally translates to earrings to replenish the soul. This one temporal is decorated by hand engraved geometric motifs and carries three stamps on the inside with the name of their Jewish maker, Moshe Mazoz.

The temporal is quite heavy and has a lovely patina. It could be worn on the arm as a bracelet. It is made of good silver and is in excellent condition for its age. I noticed a yellow deposit on some of the engravings. We can try to get that out for you if you would like us to. 

A pair of this type of adornment can be found in the Quai Branly museum's collection.

Dimensions:

• The inner circumference is 22 cm (8 5/8").
• Inner diameter is 7 cm ( 2 3/4").
• The width is 1.3 cm at its middle (just over 1/2").
• Weight is 58 grams.