When you are at a German Festival, and see people in Bavarian Tracht, you may notice that some men wear what looks like a chain of charms on their Lederhosen. What is that Lederhosen chain called? And what does it symbolize? As I’m curious by nature, I did some digging. The chain of trinkets or charms is called a Charivari (pronounced “schariwari”)… but what IS a Charivari?
What is a Charivari?
Traditionally, a Charivari is an 11- to 12-inch heavy silver chain hung with trinkets and worn with a Tracht, often over Lederhosen or a vest. The 7-15 trinkets or charms, generically related to hunting, were made from carved deer teeth, claws, and disks made from bone, all set in silver. Since only the upper classes were allowed to hunt, it became an important status symbol among the gentlemen of the nobility in the 19th century. These treasured items were passed down through the generations, with new additions occasionally made. You didn’t go out and BUY the charms. They were earned, treasured, and passed along.
But it’s more than just a collection of hunting trophies. It was thought that the pieces, paws, claws, and teeth imparted the animal’s strength, speed, and cunning to the hunter. These incredible pieces were a symbol of status. The more varied trophies a man had on his Chain, the more courage he was said to have as a hunter.
Like any jewelry, they can be rough or finely made. The finer they are, the more gemstones and silver, the higher the status of the person wearing them. You will often see silver coins or talismans, in addition to the bone and hunting souvenirs. An old, inherited piece could be worth over €10,000, although the value lies not in the silver, but in its history.
(As an aside: The deer teeth or Hirschgrandln were thought to bring good luck in future hunts. Some fine examples of silver Hirschgrandln jewelry pieces came from Schwäbisch Gmünd, a small town in Southern Germany. Silversmiths specialized in devotional jewelry and sold their popular pieces all over Europe. In the 19th century, charms made from teeth became extremely popular. Prince Albert, the German husband of Queen Victoria, not only brought the Christmas Tree to England, but he also gifted his wife with several jewelry pieces made from deer teeth, and also, notably, a brooch made from their children’s baby teeth. This fad, however, did not catch on.)
How to Wear a Lederhosen Chain
Men generally attach the chain to their Lederhosen. There are four buttons at the front of the waistband: two for the flap and two for the suspenders. Hang them from the suspenders’ buttons. Before attaching, ensure that it’s not twisted. Make sure that the chain doesn’t hang too low!
Women Can Also Wear Them
Women also wear Charivari as a dirndl decoration. The chains for women are called Erbsketten (Inheritance chains), and are much finer, but they still have 7 to 11 trophies or pendants hanging from them. Another name for a woman’s chain is Charini, or “little Charivari”. While women might have some “hunting trophies” like bits of antlers, generally a woman’s chain is hung with amethyst, coins, and pendants with hearts, Edelweiss, and other Bavarian motifs.
Some women like to wear their Charini on their Dirndl Apron. Be careful, as clipping the chain directly to the apron can be too heavy and drag the apron down. Sometimes you need an extra chain called a Charivarigürtel to keep it secure and in the right place. Size the Charivarigürtel to the correct height at your waist, then clip the Charini to it. Women also wear their Charini on the bodice of their dirndl, close to the heart. It clips on and hangs over the bodice. (If you are worried that an enthusiastic dance might knock it loose, go ahead and add a few stitches to keep it in place.)
Charivari Memorial Necklace for the Dirndl HEART Traditional Costume Wedding Sweet Water Pearls Pearls Edelweiss and Medallion for Photos / Oktoberfest Wiesn
Charivari for the Dirndl – Traditional Costume Jewelry with Rose Quartz Pearls Edelweiss
Charivari Brooch
Charini can also be worn like a brooch with a chain loop and pendants hanging from it. These can be worn at the waist on the opposite side of the bow (if you wear your bow on the left, you put the Charini on the right). They also look nice hanging from a blazer pocket, as an alternative to a pin or brooch.
Vintage charivari with Maria Theresa coin imitations – traditional costume jewelry, skirt pin, brooch style, approx. 30cm!Charivari brooch women/men deer Munich/bronze colored/Oktoberfest costume accessory/unisexMaria Theresia Charivari Rockstecker Letter A – Vintage Austrian German Octoberfest Traditional Jewelry for Women – Initial A CharivariA gold-toned safety pin brooch.
Not Just for Nobility
Today, with the rising popularity of Tracht at Festivals, the Charivari is making a comeback. Add a little flair to your Lederhosen! Add some bling to your Dirndl!Wear one to your next Festival.
Just keep one thing in mind…. Always make sure to keep an uneven number of pendants!
Vintage Charvari
These antique pieces are really special. Imagine the history behind some of them!
Vintage Charivari Chain Real Trophies Bavaria CharivariVintage ladies’ charivari made of 925 silver – oak leaves, hunting motifs & lucky charm – ca. 1950, Germany
Antique Charivari, EU hunting theme Harp Waist Buckle
Buy a Lederhosen Chain HERE
Newer Styles for Men and Women. These tend to be much cheaper than the vintage pieces…. and they add a nice decorative element to your Tracht.
Charivari SOLID SILVER Pocket Watch CHAIN Necklace with Hunting charm fobs Men’s fusee duplex or chronometer wristwatch chronograph repeateCharivari King Ludwig IIMen’s Charivari for leather trousersCharivari Franz image 0 Charivari Franz image 1 Charivari Franz image 2 Charivari Franz image 3 Charivari Franz image 4 DTrachtenschmuckM 2 sales CharivariCharivari
Brooch Charini/Charivari
Perfect for dressing up that dirndl!
Brooch for DirndlBrooch Roses Medallion Dirndl
Charivari Anhanger… Pendants and Chains
Make your own custom Charivari with these beautiful pendants.
Modern and Vintage Pendants
Attach the pendants you love to your own chain
Charivari JAW Pendant Talisman Antique Fierce OOAKGerman Bavarian Charivari Silver Pendant from the 1970thFierce Silver Teeth Locket- Charivari-Set in Silver-Fangs-VintageFlower necklace pendant real silver pendant 22 x 14 mm vintage folklore accessories Charivari traditional jewelry blossomAntique Jewelry Traditional Necklace Charivari Pendant Coral Traditional JewelryTraditional costume jewelry pendant real silver vintage gift patina ladies charivari retro pendant folk festival flower folklore eye-catcher old
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When I went to Germany in the 80s I bought a Charivari brooch clip on in what at that time was a department store. I think it was actually a collection of vendors in booths in the store but to me it was like Macy’s with different counters. At this jewelry counter I saw this clip with the hanging bar and loops for charms. I had a charm bracelet and I thought this would be a great souvenir. I also bought three charms; a heart locket that opened, an enameled shield of Bavaria and an amethyst crystal. (I later learned it is supposed to keep you sober when you drink.) I never found a fourth charm to complete it. When I returned to Germany in 2012 there were none to be found anywhere in any town I as visited. They said they were old fashioned and no one was interested in them. Like a charm bracelet, they are very personalized. I found a silversmith on Etsy to make me two custom charms. When my dog passed I had one of his incisors made into a charm and the hair from the tip of his tail into another. The smith even put on oak leaves in the charivari style. Not hunting trophies but remembrances of my dear friend of 14 years. I treasure it and every October when I wear my dirndl I clip it on and remember him and my trips to Germany. I had no idea how valuable it is now. Not that I would ever sell it.