Turkoman, Large Round Vintage Silver Neck Ornaments with Carnelians, 4 x 8 inches
SKU: ASF-305
Sale price
$595.00
Shipping calculated at checkout
Only 2 in stock
Description
- Very large round Turkoman discs with elaborate decoration and dangles,
- 4 inches diameter and 8 inches long including dangles
- I have two identical pieces (sold and priced individually) of heavy silver with soldered-on gold-plated round, crescent, half moon, and diamond shaped decorations, interspersed with and surrounded by wirework and granulated triangles.
- The large circle is divided into 4 quadrants and the number of decorative elements and dangles may relate to Turkoman magical numbers involving seasons, lifespans, pregnancy and more.
- Each piece also has 4 carnelian cabochons.
- The dangles are also embellished with gold, this is rare, and they terminate in three dimensional fluted balls. All in all very detailed and dramatic.
- Honestly I'm not sure what these were originally. They could be a type of ornament called Guljaka that Turkoman women used to close their collars at their neck, but if that's right, are particularly large examples and have been converted into pendants
- Another possibility is that these were ornaments called bozbend that were worn as a pair, with one on each shoulder. Since the two I have are identical that's a possibility, but again these are especially large and have been converted from a type of pin to a pendants
- I've had them for almost 40 years and they weren't new when I got them as part of a much larger Turkoman collection.
- Rather than being a particular style of traditional Turkoman ornamentation, they may just be an expression of the artists's vision. Either way they are quite amazing and magical to be used single, as a pair or as parts. It's up to you now...