Amulets + Pendants

These distinctive amulets are known as talhakimt. They are found across Islamic Africa, in particular among the nomadic Tuareg-Berber peoples of Niger, Mali and Algeria. They possibly derive from Indian agate finger rings or even archer's thumb rings. While reddish agate and carnelian (chalcedony) remained popular materials for talhakimt, by the 19th century they were also being made of stone, silver, glass and porcelain in the factories of India, France, Germany, Austria and Italy for trade to Africa.