Charivari (decorative chain)

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

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.

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.

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. 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

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

See also

• Charm bracelet