veil weight

These decorative keys (for which there are no locks, at least not for these large types), called asaru or aswel in Tamacheq, are worn by Tuareg women who attach them to the end bit of their head and shoulder cloth (afer, adalil) which then is thrown over one shoulder. The weight of the key prevents the cloth from falling forward, while at the same time being a decorative feature with protective qualities.

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
2007.154
Date
before December 2005
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall: 194 mm x 64 mm x 5 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
silver
CATEGORY
Anthropology: Ethnography
LOCATION
World Gallery > Africa > Tuareg - people of the void
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Collection Information

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