The large half-moon fibula, worn in Libya and Tunisia

Known since ancient times, fibulae are indispensable accessories for draped garments. Worn in pairs, they are used to fasten large rectangles of wool, silk or cotton around the body, a key element of women's costumes in many parts of North Africa. Jewelry has always played a crucial role in women's lives. Offered as a dowry, they provide security, a powerful safeguard against the vagaries of married life, and a kind of "all-risks insurance" in the event of divorce, widowhood or financial difficulties, even during marriage. Some jewels are worn daily, while others are reserved for ceremonies marking important moments in life, such as weddings and circumcisions.

Libyan silver jewelry is very similar in form and decoration to that of Egypt and southern Tunisia. Most were made in Tripoli's jewelers' souq (Souq al-Siyagha, سوق الصياغة), where numerous silversmiths produced various types of adornment intended not only for the local market but also for export.