Antique Kabyle Berber Silver Alloy Enameled Ibzimen Fibulae Necklace

The ibzimen fibulai are cloak/robe clasps, or brooches, featuring large pins with circular ring clasps that were used to attach clothing at the shoulder level dating to the 1800s and early 1900s. The nomadic Kabyle Berber tribe from northern Algeria turned theirs into ornamental pieces called tizerzai with stones attached to the rings, and pins attached to enameled and bejeweled triangular silver alloy plates, from which a chain linked to a separate but similarly decorated bottom plate or prayer box.
 
In our case, the tips of the traditional pins were instead topped with loops that allowed a necklace chain to be attached. Perhaps it was purchased from a souvenir shop… we see no markings on the chain to ascertain if it is silver.
 
The fibulae are blue and green enameled silver alloy with red coral colored cabochons. Wealthier people could afford red coral, but we do not believe these are real coral.  There are no markings on this piece. We understand it is rare for the back of the triangular sections to be enameled as well, which ours is – in green, blue, and a gold color. 
 
We found this in our grandmother’s vintage jewelry collection. We believe she may have acquired it from her aunts, the Burr sisters, who travelled the world (and shopped a lot) in the 1920s and 1930s.
 
The piece is in excellent condition for its age. We do spot a crack in the enamel under the pin connection on the back of the right side plate, and a few bubbles in the green enamel at the bottom of the same triangular plate, both of which could have occurred during the making of the piece. We have not attempted to polish it, leaving the patina as is. 
 
Necklace length 16” pin to pin (note that the silver tone chain is adjustable with patience)
Fibulae H 10 1/2” from top of pin to bottom red cabochon 
Width of each triangular plate 2 1/2”
Fibulae only without necklace chain approx. 3.25 oz (92g)
Entire necklace approx. 4.5 oz (127g)
 
Disclaimer: We have tried to make sure colors shown in photos are representative of the real colors of each item. We have tried to identify all imperfections in descriptions, but we may have missed some. If you are unhappy with your purchase, let us know.