Silver & ebony Tuareg earrings. 009

Thanks for looking at my auction, everything I have for sale is handpicked by me! I travel to Africa 2-3 times a year and select what I consider to be the best quality items available in the marketplace. This has been my sole occupation for nearly 20 years. I sell to stores, galleries, boutiques and collectors across the country and also exhibit twice yearly at both the New York and California gift shows. This is something I really enjoy doing, I get to travel for business and it's great selling to people who appreciate the culture and workmanship that is in each piece of jewelry. So have fun shopping or just looking and if you have any questions I will do my best to answer them.

 The Tuareg are a traditionally nomadic group of people who have roamed N. Africa for centuries. They controlled the vast caravans of camels that transported trade goods across the Sahara. Silver has long been available to the Tuareg and is believed to be the purest of metals. It is the choice for jewelry of those able to afford it and is crafted into all types of adornment.

 Today the art of silversmithing is alive and well and keeps bread on the table of many a Tuareg family. Traditional designs are the mainstay of their work and little has changed over the centuries with the tools and techniques they use. Tuareg jewelry is distinguished by the simplicity of it's form and the attention paid to detail. The Paris fashion house Hermes has used Tuareg designs on apparel from silk scarves to belt buckles.

Handcrafted Tuareg earrings:

These earrings are crafted by layering ebony and silver, a technique long used by the tuareg.  Each pair is unique and designs may vary slightly from the picture.

• Total length including earwire is approx 51 mm (2").
• Sterling silver.

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