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.

Mystery Turkoman cuff

This is a cuff with strange etchings on it. Has anyone ever seen markings like these? It doesnt seem terribly old. It came with the Yomut pectoral I put on earlier.
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Comments

  • An Afghan dealer said he thought the markings were North African... But this is definitely not a North African cuff

  • Nice piece, Cordelia.  It is definitely Turkoman by shape.  It looks like it may be a nice  grade silver.  If it is not silver, I would venture a guest that it might be a "starter" bracelet for a younger girl.  What size is it?

  • Hi there, yes it is good silver. I'm not sure how to size a bracelet but it is for a smaller arm than mine, but that doesn't mean it's small. I just think the markings are unlike anything I've researched so far.
  • yes, definetly torkomen or region around with the same samples.

    it looks different from the usualy seen :gilded with carbelian. but the form and work is the same. could be as hillary wrote for a girl or just a jewel fro dayly wear and not only special occasions. cold be also in small area or nomade groupe. i will tip for a nomadic work

    a splendid piece how is the weisght 350 gr arround  ??

  • Lovely piece. Nice wear - I like it. I am not an expert when it comes to Turkoman jewellery, but Turkmen people live scattered of a wide region and there are lots of variations from the "classics". I have seen quite a few pieces without  without carnelians and/or gilding, some of them with etchings. The etchings on this piece really seem unusual, though their shape resembles the "cat's eye's" setting you typically find in Turkoman jewellery.

  • hello - the patterns are actually engraved not etched. it means they are cut with a sharp tool, (whereas etching is done with acid). the zigzags are made using pressure on a slender chisel-like blade rocked from side to side-

  • Ah Stephany, thank you for that clarification. I have certainly been using the wrong word for some time.
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