My assemblage of authentic carnelian Tanfouk from northern Niger combined with old African bronze rings or Tuareg crosses and then wrapped in strands of hand-rolled goat leather are my own contemporary variation of what Tuareg women actually wear. All of the elements viewed here have been made or found during my travels throughout Mali & Niger.
The tanfouk is commonly worn by Tuareg women on a braided leather cord with several pieces circled around the neck & separated by older crosses. It can also be woven into their hair as a fertility symbol. Men wear the tip of the tanfouk as a stone jutting out of an etched silver ring symbolizing the sunrise and the start of a new life.
Unusual old carnelian Tanfouk with antique black silver talisman & old cross of Zinder on strands of hand-rolled goat leather done by Tuareg women.
Actual Tanfouk: 9cm
$220/sold
Incredible striped agate carnelian Tanfouk with a bronze cross of Zinder tied into hand-rolled strands of goat leather done by Tuareg women of the bush.
Actual Tanfouk: 8cm
$165/sold
NC-ZIN4
Vegetable hand-dyed mud cloth and assembled cross & tanfouk all by Africa Nomad.
Two very old copper & bronze Malian rings attached by strands of Tuareg hand-rolled goat leather.
$135/sold
NC-RIN5
One very beautiful long variegated carnelian agate Tanfouk with an antique cross of Agadez on 12 strands of Tuareg hand-rolled leather.
Actual Tanfouk: 10cm
$220/sold
With an attitude of gratitude & spirit prayers we receive the blessings of safe travel, shared nourishment & the never ending sacred beauty of earth, fire, water, sky, moon & stars. Ashe.
Striking striped carnelian Tanfouk with very old West African bronze earring on 12 strands of hand-rolled goat leather done by Tuareg women of the bush.
Actual Tanfouk: 9cm
$220.
NC-RIN2
Unusual red swirled carnelian Tanfouk with a very old West African bronze hair decoration on 12 strands of hand-rolled goat leather done by Tuareg women of the bush.
Actual Tanfouk: 8cm
$220.
NC-RIN3
Diagonally striped orange & red sunrise carnelian Tanfouk with old West African bronze ring on 12 strands of hand-rolled goat leather done by Tuareg women of the bush.
Actual Tanfouk: 8cm
$175.
NC-RIN1
Unusual red swirled carnelian Tanfouk with old bronze cross of Zinder on 12 strands of Tuareg hand-rolled goat leather.
Actual Tanfouk: 8cm
$175.
NC-ZIN2
Striking clear V agate carnelian Tanfouk with old cross of Zinder on 12 strands of hand-rolled goat leather done by Tuareg women.
Actual Tanfouk: 10.5cm
$175.
NC-ZIN1
Rich burnt orange carnelian swirl Tanfouk with old bronze cross of Zinder on 12 strands of hand-rolled goat leather done by Tuareg women.
Actual Tanfouk: 8cm
$145.
NC-ZIN3
Wide & strong carnelian Tanfouk with soft patina old brass ring on 12 strands of Tuareg hand-rolled goat leather.
Actual Tanfouk: 4 X 7cm
$120/sold
NC-RIN4