Traditional silver (tested) bracelet with 6 oval Lapis Azure stones. Condition: Wearable as shown. Minor abrasions to bracelet and carnelian stones, with light fading to gilding in some areas, otherwise intact and very good. Wonderful patina throughout. Collection label on interior of band.
The Turkmen are nomadic herdsmen by origin, that inhabit in a wide area comprising some regions of Iran, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. They made and used a big array of silver ornaments that are still much sought after by museums and collectors.
Much of the jewellery known today was made in the 19th or first quarter of the 20th century. The jewellery worn then was usually displayed at the marriage and the first years of marriage and was part of the dowry. There could be around 7 to 8 kilos of silver on the bride.
The importance of jewellery among these central Asia tribes follows different reasons:
- For nomadic herdsmen, jewellery represented one of the very few possibilities for safe investments. Silver could be melted and sold anytime.
- Being the Turkmen a political and econimic power-oriented society, family wealth had to be display through women in the family.
- Also, as the families moved from camp to camp, they needed wealth that could be easily stored and tranported.
- Apart from these reasons, the jewellery were meant to protect the wearer. Turkmen of all ages and both men and women use amulets. The most important Turkmen tribes in terms of jewellery are the Tekke, the Ersari, the Yomud and the Sarik.
