Berber Amber Necklace

A long Berber necklace, hand-crafted with Copal amber large beads and silver accents. Morocco, early 20th Century.

Copal amber is a tree resin similar to amber but not fully fossilized. While transparent amber is millions of years old, Copal amber’s age is only hundreds of thousands of years.

The material is abundant in Northern Africa. The total length of the necklace is about 35 inches. 29 large beads in progressive size sequence, with rudimentary leather separators, and accents and clasp in silver. Among the ornaments there is a One Franc silver coin from 1921, reading “Empire Cherifien”, issued by the French Protectorate of Morocco (1912-1956). The necklace rests freely on a black metal stand for a total height of 21 inches (stand is included). The stand base is 5 x 4.75 inches.