Moroccan Bermil Pendant - Vintage Berber Teardrop Pendant

These large bermil, or teardrop shaped pendants are traditionally worn on necklaces or the chains suspended between fibula pins.  This one is made from mixed metals and is tarnished and dark with a bit of patina.  Shape is rounded, with etched design and a green glass jewel.  This pendant is hollow but from the weight of it feels like it could be filled with something. (Perhaps wax?)  Five small coin dangles. 

Berber jewelry is large, showy, colorful and FUN!  It often includes 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 status and marital status.  The Berbers or Imazighen (‘Free people’; plural of Amazigh) are the original inhabitants of North Africa. They are an ethnic group of several nations indigenous mostly to North Africa and in some northern parts of Western Africa -  Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Mauritania, northern Mali, northern Niger, and a small part of western Egypt. They speak a number of related languages and share a common cultural heritage. Most Berbers now live in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Mali, Mauritania and Niger.

Item No. JPM0121
Length: 4.5 inches including bale and dangles
Width: 1.75 inches 
Embellishments:  Etched design, green glass jewel
Materials: Mixed metals
Metal Color: A bit brassy, dark.  Some white powder in places. (probably a cleaning agent?)
Finish: Unpolished
Attachment:  Bale at the top
Additional Info: There is a small cord attached at the top bale.  This is not long enough to be a necklace.
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!