Additional Informatin: The Turkomen live to the east of the Caspian Sea, around the Kara Kum Desert, and along the borders of Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and Iran. Turkomen beads and pendants are striking examples of a unique cultural tradition. Produced by the Turkomen people of Central Asia, these beautiful silver pieces feature design elements such as chasing and engraving that are then fire-gilded with gold. Many are further enhanced with the use of gemstones such as turquoise, carnelian and more. A century ago these pieces, in the form of headdresses, breastplates, pendants and beads, would have been worn at weddings and during the first years of marriage by Turkomen women. In fact, they would have composed a significant portion of the bride's dowry. The quality and amount of the jewelry one owned represented wealth and status, and because the Turkomen are nomadic, they were able to travel carrying their wealth with them. Turkomen jewelry pieces often functioned as amulets and talismans. The blue beads were protection against the "evil eye." Carnelian was associated with fertility, blood and life. To see other examples of Ethnic jewelry from around the world please see A WORLD OF NECKLACES (Leurquin), AFRICA ADORNED (Fisher), JEWELS FROM ELSEWHERE (Maggi,Melesi, Pensotti) and ETHNIC JEWELRY (van der Star Collection) and THE SPLENDOR of ETHNIC JEWELRY (Borel)

• Other Names: Beads
• Type of Object: silver metal, unknown metal content
• Made In: Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Traded In: Afghanistan
• People: Turkomen
• Bead Size: 34 mm diameter, 72 mm p-p. See picture with penny for size comparison.

Other Names: BeadsAfrica Direct