Charivari (decorative chain)
Piece of costume jewellery popular in the German state of Bavaria
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Charivari (pronounced /ˌʃɑːrɪˈvɑːri/) is a piece of costume jewellery popular in the German state of Bavaria. Made of solid silver or silver-plated chain, it is decorated with gemstones, coins, medals, horn, and small body parts from a variety of animals.[1][2]
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Origin and use
The name charivari derives from the Latin caribaria meaning "mess" or "madness". It also means "pandemonium" or "commotion". This meaning has continued in both English and French.[3][4]
Bavarian men wear the charivari on the belt of their lederhosen. The charivari traditionally served as jewellery or as a talisman for a successful hunt. It likely developed from a watch chain, from which were hung with hunting trophies.[5] It could not be bought, was carefully preserved and was passed down in a single family through the generations. Some old charivaris have values of up to 10,000 euros (about £8,770). The chain for women is usually finer, made of "Erbsketten" and decorated with talismen.
Gallery
Traditional Charivari - silver chain with pendants
Charivari with many adornments
Charivari with silver coins from the 19th and early-20th century from Bavaria, Baden and Prussia, including a commemorative coin of King Ludwig II of Bavaria
Modern charivari worn on jeans
