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  Thelma February 25, 2014 at 12:05pm

  Here is a picture of a set of Afghan Tajik bridal jewellery from Alfred Janata's book Schmuck in Afghanistan. He says that Afghan silversmiths have old ties and originally close contacts with the Tajik craft centres in Buchara and Samarkand (now in Uzbekistan); and that the work they have produced here is similar in design and technique to that of Samarkand.
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  Betty February 25, 2014 at 4:18pm

  Interesting information and a lovely piece, Thelma! Thanks for sharing. I recently saw the Janata book for a reasonable price. Is it worth buying in your opinion?
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  Thelma February 25, 2014 at 6:28pm

  Thanks, Betty. Yes, I've found Janata's book very useful, and there is very little written information about jewellery in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He takes on board the multi-ethnic, multicultural nature of Afghanistan and the great variety that springs from that ... and acknowledges the way in which different cities, such as Ghazni, have their own styles. But it's not encyclopaedic!
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  Marie-Ange February 25, 2014 at 6:42pm

  What a lovely piece Thelma!
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  Thelma February 26, 2014 at 10:35am

  Thanks Marie-Ange. I showed this one earlier and have been searching for its origins ever since. Finding the information about its probable Afghan Tajik origin was like putting the last piece of the jigsaw in place ... at least as far as identity is concerned. Yes, I like it too. I seem to remember that Patti has a matching headdress.
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  milene rust February 27, 2014 at 4:45am

  I could wear this - solid and easy on the eye.
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  Frankie Carter February 27, 2014 at 9:12am

  Beautiful, beautiful, Thelma. I have earrings from Hillary using those phoenixes. I believe the original seller said they were Uzbek so that seems to tie in.
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  Thelma February 27, 2014 at 12:22pm

  Thank you Milene and Frankie. This was classified as 'urban' jewellery with its style parallel to that of Buchara and Samarkand. But there is also mention of another type - of 'village' jewellery - which can be found in the bazaars in the villages along the steep valleys of northern Afghanistan and across the border in Tajikistan. But what puzzles me is where those lovely beaded Tajik necklaces of coral and silver fit in?
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  Frankie Carter February 27, 2014 at 12:35pm

  Thanks, Thelma. I agree about the Tajik "wedding" necklaces. I don`t think we`re alone. One that I have was said to come from Tibet!! And they do seem to be found over quite a large area. Not Tibet, though!
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  Petra Bijoux Bizar February 27, 2014 at 12:38pm

  very nice!