Central Asia, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan, Turkoman (Turkman) Tekke peoples, ca. 19th century CE. A gorgeous and wearable 67% silver bracelet consisting of five horizontal panels adorned with incised scrollwork motifs and four inlaid agate ovals of translucent, fiery red-orange hues. The exterior is covered in a thin layer of 71% gilding (equivalent to 15K+) that makes for a golden luster across the bracelet, and the open periphery is lined with 28 petite spikes, 14 on either side. Size (bracelet): 4.4" L x 2.9" W (11.2 cm x 7.4 cm); (wrist opening): 1.625" W (4.1 cm); quality of silver: 67%; quality of gold: 71% (equivalent to 15K+); total weight: 348.8 grams
Fabulous jewelry like this was a hallmark of elite men and women in the Turkoman society. Powerful people wore the items they commissioned or gave them as diplomatic gifts to rulers and elites in other countries as a way of showcasing the wealth of their own region. Jewelers worked on commissions from the richest members of society, obtaining precious metal from various mountains in the area, including Ferghana and the Zartalash east of Tashkent. Jewelers worked with a variety of different precious and semi-precious stones, also sourced from far afield. Artisans in cities like Bukhara, Samarkand, and Tashkent kept alive metalworking traditions once common in the medieval period long after Europeans lost them.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private Beverly Hills, California, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#140968
Condition
Wearable as shown. Minor abrasions and indentations to some areas, with fading to gilding along some exterior areas, otherwise intact and very good. Great patina throughout. Old inventory label within interior curve.