Old Tuareg Tanfouk (Talhakimt) & Conus Shell Tribal Hair Adornment
A leather braided decorative hairpiece, adorned with conus shell slices and 10 carnelian/agate tanfouk (talhakimt), also brass pendants. Each piece is tied on individually to the main braid to form a unique hairpiece. The conus shell is a symbol of fertility and strength and offers perceived protection from the evil eye. An unusual collectible piece.
Date:
Circa 1980
Material:
Leather, carnelian, shell & brass
Dimensions:
110 cm total length
Weight:
86.1 g
Ref:
HDR-711
References:
Grammet, I. and Meersman, M. (1998). Splendeurs du Maroc. Tervuren (Belgique): Musée royal de l'Afrique centrale, p. 32.
Fisher, A. (1998). Africa Adorned. New York: H. Abrams, p. 241.
Draguet, M. and Merode, N., 2020. Berber Memories. Yale University Press, p. 262