This West African necklace is handcrafted by the men of Niamey, Niger using the traditional hand tools and methods that have been used by Tuareg craftsmen for centuries, and donned by a young woman when she started courting.
I first saw this fascinating silver jewelry at a show in New York. The craftsmanship alone could have earned it a place in the VirtuArte collection, but it was the story of the artists celebration of nomadic Tuareg history that made this a must-have.
The men of the Koumama family begin apprenticing as silversmiths by age seven and it's not until they reach their teens that they are able to seven begin mastering the craft and offering their wares under the Koumama name. Perhaps the real reason I find their jewelry so passionate is that much of it celebrates their culture. This necklace is associated with young love and flirtation and donned by a young woman when she started courting. This makes it a beautifully touchable and wearable icon of love that enables one to share the Tuareg culture with the world.
- Silver, glass beads
- Hook fastener
- Color: Silver, black
- Length: 15 inches
- Handmade in Niger
- Each silver piece is hand engraved which wil give each necklace a slight variation in design
- Shipped from the US within 48 hours of purchase
Product SKU: TJ-2002
