Charivari (decorative chain)

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]

This article is about the Bavarian folk costume ornament. For the folk custom, see Charivari. For the historical magazine, see Le Charivari. For the composition by HK Gruber, see Charivari (Gruber).
A "classic" hunting and dress charivari. With fox nose as the centre, semi-precious stones, raptor claw and "Schergraberl" (mole paw). Upper Bavaria, late 20th-century

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.

Charivari Arizona-style
  • Traditional Charivari - silver chain with pendants
    Traditional Charivari - silver chain with pendants
  • Charivari with many adornments
    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
    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
    Modern charivari worn on jeans

See also

References
  1. "German Hunting Amulets (Charivari) | R·Seitz: Talisman". Rseitz.com. 28 July 2014. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  2. "A South German Luxurious Charivari, 19th/20th Century Heavy Silver Stock Photo, Picture And Royalty Free Image. Pic. 51538727". Alamy.com. 21 April 2011. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  3. "charivari - Wiktionary". En.wiktionary.org. 25 January 2016. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  4. "charivari - definition of charivari in English from the Oxford dictionary". Oxforddictionaries.com. Archived from the original on July 6, 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  5. "Our Tracht". Alpenlandtaenzer.com. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
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