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Fibula

Arts of the Islamic World

Fibulae are ornamental clasps. The Berbers use them to hold down scarves and keep capes in place. The central egg-shaped form known as a taguemount symbolizes fertility. The presence of the Star of David on this piece suggests that the artist may have been Jewish, as were many of the silversmiths of Morocco from the fifteenth century until the 1950s or 1960s.
MEDIUM Silver, with chased decoration, inlaid with coral and carnelian
DATES 20th century
DIMENSIONS Fibula: length: 30 1/4 in.  (show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER 1995.178.1
CREDIT LINE Gift of Dr. Virgil H. Bird
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
CAPTION Fibula, 20th century. Silver, with chased decoration, inlaid with coral and carnelian, Fibula: length: 30 1/4 in. Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Dr. Virgil H. Bird, 1995.178.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 1995.178.1_1995.178.2_1995.178.3_bw.jpg)
IMAGE group, 1995.178.1_1995.178.2_1995.178.3_bw.jpg.
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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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