About the collection
The collection Jean Burner consists of 150 objects, ranging from rings and earrings to necklaces and bracelets. They have been collected by Jean Burner over the course of decades in Niger.
These have been published in the book Bijoux Touaregs: Art des bijoux anciens du Sahel et du Sahara au Niger (Fournel, 2011) Mr. Burner has donated part of his collection to the Musée des Confluences in Lyon, the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, and the Musée Bardo in Algiers. He also founded a museum in Abalak in Niger. Instrumental in the donation to Qilada has been Catherine Vaudour, who is an ethnolinguist and founder of the Association TATRIT. The goal of the Association TATRIT is to preserve the material and immaterial heritage of the Tuareg. Catherine Vaudour is also the author of several important works in this field, of which two notable works are: De la féérie des sables… cinquante ans chez les Touareg. Fonds Michel Vallet (TATRIT, 2016) and Les tenues des Touaregs. Fonds documentaire de Michel Vallet (TATRIT, 2019)
The collection holds both rare items as well as jewellery of the everyday, and as such presents a cross-section of Tuareg adornment. The collection is the result of over 40 years of research by Jean Burner, who resided in the north of Niger for several months every year.
We are currently working to photograph each piece in detail and to provide accurate descriptions and cultural background information as well as references.
Qilada 