Berber Boghdad Southern Cross Pendant - Vintage Enamel Pendant
Pretty enameled Berber southern cross pendant, sometimes called boghdad. Colorful enamel, granulation and wire work with a raised center dome. 3D design with a tunnel for stringing onto necklaces. A guaranteed conversation starter!
Beautiful Moroccan southern cross pendant, also known as a boghdad pendant. These beautiful pendants come in an infinite variety and are often embellished with granulation, enamel, glass jewels and wirework. This one boasts wirework, granulation and enamel in traditional yellow(ish), blue and green colors. These pendants are not related to the Christian religion despite the name. The Southern Cross is a traditional motif revered by many nomadic tribes across Northern Africa. It is named after the Southern Cross constellation, which guides tribal groups safely through the dessert during their nightly sojourns. This pendant is is hollow and has a raised dome in the center. A fairly large example of Berber cross pendants, measuring about 2-7/8 inches long and about 2 inches wide. This piece would be an amazing focal pendant on a necklace of large trade beads.
Berber, or Amazigh, jewelry is large, showy, colorful and FUN, often including lots of detail like enamel in bright colors, large jewels and coins. It represents much more than simply adornment. Each piece can signify fertility, wealth, social and marital status. The Berbers or Imazighen (‘Free people’; plural of Amazigh) are the original inhabitants of North Africa. They speak a number of related languages and share a common cultural heritage. Most Berbers today live in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Mali, Mauritania and Niger.
Item No. JPM0163
Length: About 2-7/8 inches
Width: About 2 inches
Materials: Mixed metals, Enamel
Metal Color: Silvery, tarnished
Finish: Unpolished
Enamel Color(s): Yellow (ochre), blue and green
Attachment: Tunnel at the top for stringing
A few small dings in the back, nothing notable.
Country of Origin: Morocco
Condition: Vintage
Please check photos carefully for condition. You will receive the exact piece(s) shown in the photos on this page. This is a USED piece that has been previously worn in country. As a previously used tribal item it may have small flaws such as loose or missing jewels, missing bells, obvious repairs, may be tarnished or worn, or have other small flaws.
A NOTE ON THE CONDITION OF TRIBAL ITEMS: Our jewelry is used tribal jewelry, from faraway lands. As used pieces the condition of our items will reflect their prior lives as treasured tribal pieces. Please know that we strive to maintain the tribal allure of our items and therefore we do not clean or repair these pieces in any way. We leave that choice to the buyer, as each may prefer something different. This not only maintains the old, tribal look of each piece that our belly dance customers seek, but also preserves the value of a piece that cleaning might diminish.
We do our best to describe any flaws that may be present in our items, and we encourage you to read the full description and look at all photos closely to judge the condition of the item for yourself and know exactly what you are ordering. If you have questions about the condition of any item, please ask!
