This gorgeous and rare gold gem-set fibula was made in Morocco during the first half of the 20th century. It weighs 10 grams and is crafted in high karat gold. It is typical example of North African craftsmanship with its centrepiece being a large natural green beryl (emerald with only traces of chromium) cabochon weighing approx. 27.44 carats.

A fibula pin is an early type of brooch that was used to secure clothing. In North Africa, Berber women use it to fix the blankets they wear on their clothes. They are usually in silver and very scarcely found in gold. The use of fibulae or ring brooches to fasten women’s traditional clothing is universal across the region and dates back to late Roman times. Most of these brooches are penannular in shape, like this one, with the main decoration lavished on the head of the pin.

Both the pin and ring are stamped with various Moroccan gold hallmarks, one of the clearer stamps is a right-facing ‘genetta’ in a four lobed fame-shape indicating a minimum fineness of 750 gold. The juicy green beryl displays a pale-green hue and has a patch of darker colour inclusion on one side. The fibula measures 5.8cm by 1.8cm at its widest points, and weighs 9.56g of 18K gold.

A truly special item!