NECKLACE - CENTRAL ASIA - Gallery

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NECKLACE - CENTRAL ASIA

Posted by Peter Hoesli on June 4, 2015 at 7:52pm

This is a very large necklace. I was told that it is from Bukhara but I am not sure.

Comments

Lynn Ardent June 6, 2015 at 2:43am

Dear Peter, this is a beautiful necklace. I particularly like the star surrounded by the glass jewels, and the crescent underneath. This feels Pakistani to me but I will see if I come across a better ID.
Peter Hoesli June 6, 2015 at 5:29am

Dear Lynn; Many thanks for your help. I have been told by the dealer that this particular piece is from Bukhara. I have four other similar pieces, 1 with similar colorful stones, 1 without stones but only silver decoration and 2 with carnelians instead of the colored stones. I believe that the ones with carnelians and only silver decoration are very old - much older than the ones with colored stones. I have bought all three pieces, which I have previously posted on EJ from an Afghani gentleman, living now abroad. He mentioned that they are of Afghan origin. However, I am still looking for the exact location in Afghanistan. While the ones with colored stones could as well also have a Pakistani origin (everything is interwoven in this region anyway), I would not allocate the ones with carnelians and only silver decorations to Pakistan. By the way, I have recently visited the Ambassador of Pakistan in Jordan and he told me that the Swat Valley is again open to visit, hence, cleared from the extremist Taliban, which is good news. The Swat Valley has absolutely gorgeous silver jewelry (I have quite a few in my collection) and looks like Switzerland! With kind regards. Peter
ingrid Langerak June 6, 2015 at 11:48am

Dear Peter, what a fantastic piece. So jubilant and still dignified. The base is similar to the Ethiopian pieces I had posted without the extra side chain links, which are so great the workmanship and the sedate colors. Like Lynn I would also place it more into the Pakistani area as Ethiopian jewelry has a lot of connections with India and Pakistan of course with India. Thanks for posting, also your photos are always showing up on so well. Regards Ingrid.
Thelma June 6, 2015 at 12:17pm

My guess, taking account of the colours of the stones and other features, would be that this is a Pashtun necklace. The Pashtuns are the biggest community in Afghanistan, found mainly in the southeast but also scattered in smaller groups in other places. They are also found across the border in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan where they are known as Pathans. Those who are nomadic are well known as Kuchi. But I may be wrong ;))
Patricia Deany June 6, 2015 at 12:35pm

I do not believe these are Uzbeki, although the plaques on the side chains are of comparable shape and design to those of older Bochara necklaces. This looks to me of more Afghan or Pakistani origin.This is an antique bochara necklace, more glass, less silver, very light, delicate construction.
Thelma June 14, 2015 at 2:12pm

Peter, there is a necklace similar to this at https://www.pinterest.com/source/afghantribalarts.com/ Hope this helps.