Libyan Coral and Silver Temporal

This unusual set of three silver hoops, joined on one side by means of two brackets between which the hoops have been threaded with faceted silver and barrel-shaped Mediterranean coral beads, was intended to serve as a temporal or head ornament worn by a woman in Libya.

Each of the three hoops has been embossed on one side with sets of Tripoli silver assay marks, as well as what are likely to be ample maker’s marks, in Arabic.

Such an item would have been worn suspended from the woman’s head covering adjacent to her ear or temple, giving it the appearance of being an earring but without it being suspended from the ear.

This is an unusual and rare example.