Coral necklace

A Sephardic Judeo-Berber necklace with eight strands of red coral branches. This necklace comes from Tangier and is part of the rich popular jewellery made primarily by Jews in Morocco. In this case, it would have been worn by a Sephardic bride as part of her wedding attire on her wedding day. This jewellery is typical of rural areas. Sephardic jewellery, like in other cultures, is not only a beautifying element but also an expression of social identity for the woman who wears it, while also serving as an economic investment for the family. Therefore, the value of these pieces is not only measured by the material they are made of or the quality of the craftsmanship but also by their weight. In the case of this coral necklace, the weight is considerable. Moreover, these jewels are believed to have protective, medicinal, and magical qualities to ward off evil influences, as believed in popular culture. Coral, for example, is valued for its ability to neutralize the evil eye, bring good luck, and its red colour is associated with fertility.