21 Taureg Emblems

Bill M · 9th November 2007, 02:09 AM

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

Jim McDougall · 9th November 2007, 06:15 AM

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 · 9th November 2007, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 9th November 2007, 12:29 PM

These are desert compasses nice mix

Bill M · 9th November 2007, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ward

These are desert compasses nice mix

Ward, can you give more information?

Jim McDougall · 9th November 2007, 03:49 PM

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 · 9th November 2007, 06:58 PM

Hi Gentlemen
please, don't ask for me to translate

I'm not at all italian speaker, or just as frenchy

I got that on the net, but "where"

expecting to tease your curiosity

Regards

à +

Dom

fernando · 9th November 2007, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dom

Hi Gentlemen
please, don't ask for me to translate

I'm not at all italian speaker, or just as frenchy

I got that on the net, but "where"

expecting to tease your curiosity

Regards

à +

Dom

Superb, Dom

ward · 9th November 2007, 09:28 PM

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 · 10th November 2007, 08:47 PM

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

ward · 11th November 2007, 04:57 PM

there is a similar pic on web

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

ward · 11th November 2007, 05:35 PM

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 · 11th November 2007, 06:14 PM

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.

9th November 2007, 02:09 AM	#1
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	21 Taureg Emblems 50x40cm. Embossed leather frame. Seem to be some silver alloy, possibly coin silver. Are these emblems/symbols familiar? I recognize a few. Attached Images

9th November 2007, 06:15 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,940	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.

9th November 2007, 12:29 PM	#4
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	These are desert compasses nice mix

9th November 2007, 03:49 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,940	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

9th November 2007, 09:28 PM	#9
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	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.

10th November 2007, 08:47 PM	#10
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,940	Just bumped this to the top in hopes these three threads might produce some thoughts or observations.

11th November 2007, 04:57 PM	#11
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	there is a similar pic on web http://www.raken.com/style/eng/historique/touareg.asp

11th November 2007, 05:35 PM	#12
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	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

11th November 2007, 06:14 PM	#13
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	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.