North African Cage with Scarab.

This ancient design is known by many names;’African Fringe,’ ‘Arabic Cage’ and ‘Cage Fan’. It originated in North Africa, and is still created in Egypt and Morocco as a ‘House blessing’. It is however seldom made for the tourist trade. According to local traditions, this straw cage was constructed to offer a home to the ‘Spirit of the Grain’, following each harvest. The belief is that if the grain spirit is ever removed from their homes, the next harvest will fail. Which may explain why it is so rarely sold.

Here combined with another traditional symbol of protection, especially to be found in Egypt. Hundreds of amulets were created that depicted the scarab beetle; which were used by both rich and poor. In ancient Egypt, Solar worship and the scarab were seen as inseparable. Early hieroglyphics depict the God Khepri, the god of protection, rebirth, creation, and the sun. Khepri was often depicted as a scarab holding up the sun. The flat base of Scarab amulets were frequently inscribed with names, sacred animals, images of deities, magical spells, and other religious symbols. A particular person’s name could also be inscribed on the seal’s flat underside, which was considered to give protective powers against evil to its owner and their property. Scarabs have been found drawn on walls, graves, used as talisman and worn as jewellery. Scarabs were also created with wings, which represented rebirth. The Scarab beetle was also associated with protecting the written word, so seals were often made in the image of a scarab.

I can make the basic & traditional design as seen in the very first image; with or without seed heads at the top (as just a simple straw plaited loop without seed heads), as the hanger. Or, it can be added too with coloured beads (or large holed objects of your choice that you can supply if you wish), that sit just above the wheat heads at the base of this ancient design, as can be seen in the other image. I can use a cast metal Scarab, or one of the blue replica beads, which are slightly more expensive. This designs can be made larger or smaller as is required, if so, the price stated will vary either way. I am always happy to make a piece more individual, so please do ask if you have any other ideas or specification and we can discuss this before hand.