Fibulae made of Silver Coins / Fibulae with Chain

Fibulae made of Silver Coins / Fibulae with Chain

Two pairs of fibulae made from coins. Morocco, [late 19th century / early 20th century].
Silver, cast and engraved; silver coins, aluminum and copper-nickel; plastic beads.
1-2. Two fibulae (probably not originally a pair) made from silver coins. [Draa Valley?]. One fibula made from 10-dirham coin dated 1882; the other from 5-dirham coin dated 1903. Clover-like ornaments soldered onto either end of each coin. 8X3 cm, 10X3 cm. Good condition.
3. Pair of fibulae with chain bearing pendants. Todra (Todgha) Valley. Made from 20-franc coins dated 1947. Attached to chain, adjoining fibulae: pair of rectangular pendants resembling amulet cases; suspended from these are 1-franc coins dated 1951. Suspended from middle of chain: ring with two earlier pendants, one with pair of horseshoe-arch "windows, " and the other in form of ellipse (with floral pattern), tapering at end to thin needle. 92X3 cm (central pendant: 7.5 cm). Good condition.

The purpose of the fibulae (known locally as "bzim" or "khellala") is to fasten shawls and sashes around the shoulder. This piece of jewelry, characteristic of North Africa, harkens back to the types of fibulae worn by women of this region back in the days of ancient Greece and Rome. Most often, a pair of fibulae would represent the primary piece of jewelry, especially among village women, and silversmiths invested great effort in adorning these items with the finest of decorative patterns.
The basic structure of the fibula is quite standard; the pin – no more than a large needle – originally a simple needle, quill, or prong holding the various parts of a garment together; the ring, whose job is to hold the needle in place; and the ornament, which may be triangular, round, or elliptical in shape. A decorative chain connects the two pins, and amulet cases or various types of pendants will at times dangle from this chain.
(For more on this subject, see Jewish Life in Morocco, p. 235).