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.

Iranian or Iraqi Kurdish Head Ornament

Posted by Lynn Ardent on April 19, 2016 at 2:53am

This is a large ornament which I believe is from Iranian or Iraqi Kurdistan, or a related ethnic group. It consists of a large dome decorated with rustic figure-8 filigree and granulation. The dome rises up to a silver cap which is mounted at the apex, above the granulation. Attached to the dome is a very large, sharp hook, probably to attach to a turban. Below the dome are 7 rings from which are suspended ornate chains with diamond and tear-shaped dangles and two glass stones. I don't recognize the coin. The metal ranges from coppery-silver to silver, all of it low grade with the exception of the coin.Dimensions:16 cm from tip to tip51 grams

Comments

Jean-Marie Criel April 19, 2016 at 3:33pm

Dear Lynn, I add a picture of a similar ornament that I have. It is, as you can see, a head ornament (worn in a turban, on the forehead or on the side). Width: 23 cm (from hook to hook). I think mine comes from Iraqi Kurdistan (but similar jewels could also be worn in neighbouring Iranian Kurdistan, which is culturally close too). Did you investigate the coin on yours? This would possibly give an indication.

I think yours is a head ornament too; the pointed ends of both larger plates (on both ends) were obviously bent back to be hooked into the turban. With kind greetings, JM.
Lynn Ardent April 19, 2016 at 4:13pm

What a wonderful reference, Jean-Marie! It's intriguing to me how similar Kurdish jewelry is through Syria, Iraq, and Iran, and related ethnic groups like Lurs and Bakhtiari in Iran too. The dome on your head ornament looks made in almost the exact same way even with the variation in metal content from the dome/cap to the granules. I have not identified the coin yet.
Lynn Ardent April 19, 2016 at 4:18pm

Upon further searching it's an Iraqi coin from the 1930s depicting King Faisal. So this ornament probably is from Iraqi Kurdistan.