• Silver Peacock Freshwater Potato Pearls
• Hand-Cut and Hand-Faceted Blue Sapphire Precious Gemstone Rondelles
• Handcrafted Silver Tuareg Cross Pendant signed by the artist, circa late 20th Century (Origin: Ethiopia; Collected: Ethiopia)
• Handcrafted Sterling Silver Toggle Clasp from Thailand
• Sterling Silver Findings
• Finished with Silver French Bullion
• Length: 16”

N0908-124: $175.00 (free S&H)

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TUAREG CROSS: In the early 19th century literature of the Sahara, possibly under the influence of French Catholic missionaries of the time, the Christian cross is sometimes evoked as the possible origin of the Tuareg Cross. This particular cross is referred to as the “Cross of Bagzan”, which is one of twenty-one varieties of the Tuareg Cross. The names of the crosses are associated with oases or villages of the Air and Azawagh regions or with Tuareg tribal groups of northern Niger. The Tuareg are predominately nomadic and are often referred to as “Blue Men of the Desert” because their robes are dyed indigo blue. They are a proud race of people, famous for their fighting abilities and are excellent craftsmen renowned for their indigo cloth, gold and silver jewelry, and carved wooden masks. Tuareg pieces are quite distinguishable due to their shapes, markings and geometric symbols. In recent times, the Tuareg have been abandoning their nomadic way of life and taking up sedentary lifestyles.