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 the Lederhosen chain called? And what does it symbolize? Because I’m nosy as can be, 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 – 12 inch heavy silver chain hung with trinkets and is worn with Tracht, maybe over Lederhosen or a vest. The 7- 15 trinkets or charms were usually related to hunting, and were made from carved deer teeth, claws, disks made from bone all set in silver. Since only the upper classes were allowed to hunt, they became an important status symbol in the 19th century among the gentlemen of the nobility. These treasured items were passed down through the generations, and new bits were occasionally added. You didn’t go out and BUY the pieces, 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 status symbol. The more varied trophies a man had on his Chain, the more courage he was said to have as a hunter.
Antique Bavarian Charivari Collection
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 it. You will often see silver coins or talisman, in addition to the bone and hunting souvenirs. An old inherited piece could be worth over 10,000€… Although, the value is not in the silver, but in the 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. Then in the 19th century charms made from teeth became very popular… Prince Albert, the German husband of Queen Victoria, not only brought the Christmas Tree to England, he also gifted his wife with a number of jewelry pieces made from deer teeth…. and also, notably, a broach 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 4 buttons at the front of the waistband… 2 for the flap, and 2 for the suspenders… hang them from the suspender buttons. Before attaching, insure that it’s not twisted. Make sure that the chain doesn’t hang too low!
They Can Also Be Worn By Women
Women also wear Charivari on 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 antler, 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, clipping the chain directly to the apron can be too heavy and drag down the apron. Sometimes you need an extra chain called a Charivarigürtel to keep it secure and in the right place. Size the Charivarigürtel to the right height at your waist, then clip the Charini to it. Women also wear their Charini on the bodice of their dirndl. (Close to their 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, coin chain for the dirndl
Charivari Memorial Necklace for the Dirndl HEART Traditional Costume Wedding Sweet Water Pearls Pearls Edelweiss and Medallion for Photos / Oktoberfest WiesnTraditional jewelery Dirndl Charivari with rhinestone medallion and shell pearls rose medallion pearl pendant charms heart edelweissCharivari Necklace for Dirndl and Traditional Skirt / Sweet Water Pearls Mother of Pearl Medallion Accessory Oktoberfest Wiesn Trachten Wedding Beer GardenCharivari for the Dirndl – Traditional Costume Jewelry with Rose Quartz Pearls Edelweiss
Charivari Brooch
The newest Charini look something like a brooch with a chain loop and pendants hanging from it. This 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 really nice hanging from a blazer pocket, as an alternative to a pin or 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!
c1960 Vintage German watch chain with Hunting Competition MedalsAntique Jugendstil German Watch Chain Trachten Citrine Glass Faux PearlsAntique Hunting Charivari, 835 Standard Silver, with Three Hunting Trophies, Maker Probably Lutz and Weiss Pforzheim, Germany 1910Austria around 1950! Beautiful charivari with 7 pendants silver 835Antique Amazing Albert pocket watch chain Lion passant Sterling silver Necklace Stunning Silover Bavarian Charivari Fox jaw amulet pendant
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.
Vintage Bavarian charivari with coins, grandel and toothAUSTRIAN Emperor Franz Josef CHARIVARI TRACHTEN, 5 Miniature Coins, 5″ wide, OktoberfestCharivari SOLID SILVER Pocket Watch CHAIN Necklace with Hunting charm fobs Men’s fusee duplex or chronometer wristwatch chronograph repeateCHARIVARI Empress Maria Theresia of Austria, 3 Replica 1769 Coins, 9″ long, Habsburg Eagle, Trachten Jewelry, Trachtenschmuck
Charivari “Maximilian”Charivari King Ludwig II
Men’s Charivari for leather trousersCharivari “Anton”Men’s Charivari for Lederhosn for menCharivari Franz image 0 Charivari Franz image 1 Charivari Franz image 2 Charivari Franz image 3 Charivari Franz image 4 DTrachtenschmuckM 2 sales Charivari “Franz”Charivari “Benedict”Men’s Charivari for leather trousers for men
Brooch or Plug Charini/Charivari
Perfect for dressing up that dirndl!
(Fair warning, the Vintage pieces are quite expensive… )
Brooch for DirndlBrooch Roses Medallion Dirndl
Plugs Jewelry Charivari Silver 835 initials LH pendant seldom rar SB269Dress Skirt Plugs Silver 800 chain pendant 5 pcs amethyst pyrite SB288 Horn horse head
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
Bavarian Tooth charivari, Antique silver front teeth charivari charm, Bavarian Charivari charm, Charivari pendant, German collectors charmVintage Bavarian Charivari Marten Jaw Locket. 925 Sterling Silver Taxidermy Pendant.Antique Re-Strike of a 1704 German Thaler Solid Silver Fob Charm Pendant; c. 1900 Re-Strike of Antique German Coin Fob or PendantVintage Charm Sterling Silver Mechanical German Beer Stein Bracelet CharmTraditional Costume Jewelry Chain Pendant Genuine Silver Vintage Gift Patina Women Men Charivari 52 x 40 mm Bock PendantVintage Charivari Baculum Witches Heart Charm Pendant Necklace
Antique Genuine Tooth Hunting Trophy Solid Silver Fob CharmAntique Bavarian Hound Cast Pendant TalismanOld charivari watch fob pendant – Wild Boar Tooth PendantAntique Genuine Fur Tuft Hunting Trophy Solid Silver Fob Charm Pendant; Bavarian Charivari Fur TuftWolf Fang Charivari Amulet
You’ll find a GREAT selection of Lederhosen at Bavaria Trachten!
Save 10% when you use the Coupon Code GERMANGIRL
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.