tuareg jewelry

Still on my quest for familial knowledge.  I've found this absolutely beautiful book that must be 'the last word' on Tuareg jewelry, and it is available  from the author Helene E. Hagan, or at Amazon.com and other places.

When I began looking at the work in this book, my first thought was exactly the same as my thought about our necklace - you may recall I am trying to remember the details of a necklace that was in our family - and that first thought was, 'this is just a bunch of scratched lines - is that all this kind of jewelry is?'  So, that was my first clue that the jewelry in this book was indeed related to our necklace.

There is one big difference between the jewelry in this book and ours, and that is that the jewelry in the book is exceedingly beautiful. As I recall our pieces - we had others besides the necklace, although the necklace remains most vividly in my memory - my memory tells me that our pieces were much more plain and, as it were, crude by comparison.  In fact, I wondered if the necklace might be something other than Tuareg, perhaps gypsy or Native American.  A lady on the Nanticoke page wears a coin necklace, for example, although it is hard to see.  When I asked my mother why there was a necklace made of coins among her costume jewelry, she said very dismissively, 'oh, the old-time people used to make them like that.'  'Who were the old-time people?'  No answer.  The Delaware Moors were apparently related to the Nanticoke at one time, so I wondered if perhaps our coin necklace might be one of theirs.

Well,  when I finally came across this picture, I realized that at last I'd found something I recognized!  Yes, this motif, crude and unsymmetrical as it is, was on our coin necklace. This is the kind of 'look' our coins had - very uneven shapes, not centered, imperfect, mere 'scratchings,' etc.  From this book I also recognize the 'star' design, and others.  In addition, I realize that some other pieces that my mother  let me believe were merely costume jewelry, were in fact a kind of cylindrical men's 'brooch.'  Some of the other specific kinds of jewelry in the book may have been among our collection as well, but I don't recall them as clearly. 

I found it interesting to discover through this book that the Tuareg had their own alphabet.  Finding this out gave me a little bit of a 'tickle' because as a child I had developed an alphabet that somewhat resembled the Tuareg one. I used to sit on our porch writing and/or translating bits of writing into my special alphabet.  Just a kid thing to do. I know this is not very significant, but it's one of those peculiar little synchronicities that occur in life that entertain your mind with 'possibilites.'  A while back I tried to recreate some of the letters.  Here's what I came up with:

Cute, huh?  Below is an example of the Tuareg alphabet from Helene Hagan's book:

Comments

[magnetic jewelry clasp]

I love that book! you can learn lot from information from that book.

Thanks for great posting.

[Chris]

What unique jewelry. I would really love to get that book.

[kasturi]

hi chris,

the book is available directly from the author online. just google tuareg jewelry. Also, it's available at amazon as well. It truly is a fabulous and unique book - enjoy!

kasturi

[bridal shower gift ideas]

hello..

beautifull, you collection looks gorgeous!

Unique!

[Kasturi]

thank you - it is not my collection however, but the collection of Helene Hagan and Lucille Myers. It is lovely, isn't it? We did have similar and even identical pieces among our family mementos many years ago. I have been able to find and buy a replica of a Tuareg kohl case, but when it comes to the jewelry, the photos in this book are all I have been able to find that can indicate what we once had. thanks again for writing.

[pearl jewelry]

I love that book! Thank to share.

[Vintage Jewelry]

I would like to read this book. I'm a new in the world of jewelry, but everyday I learn many new fantastic things about all kinds of adornments. Thanks for the post.

[kasturi]

i don't mind people advertising on my blog as long as they have something intelligent to say.

not all comments are equally intelligent, for sure. my posts are not equally intelligent either. for example, at the time that I created this post, i did not yet realize that the presence of tuareg jewelry in my childhood home was not from any descent from moroccan people, but because my grandfather belonged to the moorish science temple of america and he wore 'costume jewelry' - genuine imports apparently - as part of his attendance at services. his family adored him and loved his 'eccentricity,' i suppose, but strangely enough his connection to the msta was so strong that i could actually feel something of it as a child, long after he had died. there was something mysterious about our home and my own sense of connection to the moorish science temple building near broad & erie not far from our neighborhood. crack-pot theorists please step forward!

[generic viagra]

coins are very interesting objects, from the beginning of time, coins have become an object therefore important in society, I personally like to collect coins, as they are very interesting, from its design to its value

[buy kamagra]

She is really a great illustrator, and of course she created for herself a great site too. Her designs are just so real and reliable, that's great!
Thanks for the referral!

[tiffany jewelry]

i haven't tried that book but i sew the comments and i think that i will buy it...
where can i find that book? barns and novels??

[replica house]

I just did a google search for his book and sow quite a large number of good reviews. I might just get me a copy I love these types of things. Thanks for the info!

[sterling silver locket]

I just bought this Book trough Amazon here - Tuareg Jewelry:Traditional Patterns and Symbols - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1425704530?ie=UTF8&tag=filmsynopsis-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=1425704530

[kasturi]

glad to hear you could find the book ~ it is a beautiful artifact in itself!

[Coin Jewelry]

There is one big aberration amid the adornment in this book and ours, and that is that the adornment in the book is awfully beautiful.

[Randy]

I bought the text and was very disappointed by the quality of the photos and the authors commentary. Save your money. The text is not worth the paper it is printed on

[magnetic jewelry clasp]

i already buy it and it is a great book
http://info-magneticjewelryclasp.blogspot.com/

[וילות בתל אביב]

I requested my friend that why there was a pendant created of money among her outfit bracelets. By the way this is very nice task done by them.

[zovirax]

http://www.metro-nica.com buy zovirax online buy cheap zovirax dosing zovirax cold sores zovirax buy generic zovirax in the us

[CliellPak]

Hello! estrace by triton, medcine reminyl information, purchase, fda report on actonel, lariam associates.