Mauritanian Wedding Necklace with Krobo Sidley Collection

Mauritanian wedding necklaces are stunning and meaningful adornments made with care from materials like silver, beads, and semi-precious stones. They're worn by brides on their wedding day, symbolizing cultural identity and marital status. These necklaces are intricately designed, often featuring symbols of fertility, protection, and prosperity. They hold deep cultural significance, representing the rich traditions and celebratory nature of weddings in Mauritania.

Talhakimt pendants were crafted during the trade bead era in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They were made by French and Czech-Bohemian industries. Czech versions were molded from glass in colors like green, red, and blue, while French ones, pioneered by Jean-Felix Bapterosses, were made using the "Prosser" technique, creating a hard porcelain-like material. Bapterosses made them at his factory in Briare. Both types were exported to West Africa and believed to have protective qualities. Mauritanian women wore them in elaborate headdresses, often braided into long hair, especially during the Guedra dance, a traditional ritual expressing love for men.

Provenance: Niña Sidley Collection

After a long career in publishing, Niña Sidley returned to her first love: collecting the art, artifacts, and textiles of the world’s indigenous peoples. Part of her mission has been to educate others and to honor the extraordinary creativity, ingenuity, and heartfelt messages these handmade works send from their makers. Niña believes this deep respect for tradition and beauty inspires and ties all of us together as one world.

Necklace Length: 23 inches
Bead Size:  6mm - 26mm diameter

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