Chocker-Kirdan - Palestine - Gallery

A digital archive showcasing the extensive collection of jewellery and adornment images shared on the former Ethnic Jewels Ning site over the years. These images have significantly enriched discussions on cultural adornment and its global dispersion.

Chocker-Kirdan - Palestine

Posted by Peter Hoesli on January 17, 2015 at 6:22pm

Beautifully worn. RARE!

Comments

Lynn Ardent January 20, 2015 at 4:38am

Gorgeous! I have seen some kirdans of this general type online, but it is very hard to tell what might be from Palestine and what is general "Ottoman." The filigreed pieces seem to be a clue. Congratulations Peter!
Peter Hoesli January 20, 2015 at 5:32am

Dear Lynn; Many thanks for your message. You are right, it is difficult to distinguish them. The coins give you the best indication. I have still a few of these Kirdans stored with the dealer. Some are from Syria and others from Iraq. I have asked the dealer to check out the coins of one of them, which were so strongly worn, that it was difficult to figure out the origin, unless you are familiar with these countries old coins. I love this particular unit because of the beautiful arrangement in general but mainly the filigree. With kind regards. Peter
Lynn Ardent January 20, 2015 at 6:46am

Here are two of my favorite photographs of women wearing this type of kirdan in Palestine. Examining the photos, I think they both have a similar central filigree element. Thank you Peter for posting this beauty.
Peter Hoesli January 20, 2015 at 6:51am

Dear Lynn; Many thanks for your message. Yes, I have seen both photos, which are great. The Kirdans are always very heavily worn and therefore, it is a quite exceptional to find a nice intact unit. But then again, I love jewelry, which has been worn. With kind regards. Peter
Peter Hoesli January 20, 2015 at 6:56am

Dear Lynn; Here is another one from my collection. However, the fabric was so heavily damaged, it had to be replaced. With kind regards. Peter
Lynn Ardent January 20, 2015 at 6:59am

Wow! What a beauty. The elements of the choker and the triangular pieces, are quite different than I have seen. Thank you for posting it!
Betty January 20, 2015 at 2:30pm

I agree with Lynn: these are both fantastic pieces! Congratulations, Peter.

They immediately reminded me of a choker I had held in hand in Armenia which was said to be from Van/Turkey. Later I found a similar one in the lovely Yerevan Museum of Folk Art. They look very similar to the Palestinian pieces, with the exception that they sport a cross-like element rather than the halfmoon-shaped pendant. One of them also has a filigreed focal piece. The only other difference is that there are different shapes of dangles instead of the coins.
Lynn Ardent January 21, 2015 at 4:13am

WOW Betty, did you buy the necklace pictured around your neck? It is stunning! I don't know how I would have let it go (this is why I will never be a successful seller.)
Betty January 21, 2015 at 10:12am

No, I didn't buy it Lynn - they asked an an outrageous price for it (and though it is stunning, it was recently restrung). But I bought the bought wonderful antique filigree Belt buckle from Turkish Armenia that I showed some months ago. It was either one or the other and since the belt buckle was less costly and to my eyes even more beautiful, the choice was not too hard!

But I know what you mean about no being able to let go :-)
Johanne January 21, 2015 at 11:45am

Thanks Peter , Lynn and Betty for posting the beautiful different kirdans and interesting postcard!