NECKLACE - CHRISTIAN-KURDISTAN-IRAQ - 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.

NECKLACE - CHRISTIAN-KURDISTAN-IRAQ

Posted by Peter Hoesli on March 15, 2015 at 7:40pm

It is extremely rare to find Christian amulets/ necklaces in the region. It is even more exceptional to find a Christian piece in such a great condition. The owner of this necklace has taken very good care of her jewelry.The chain of this necklace is extremely long. Therefore, it is worn diagonal, hence, over one shoulder and beneath the other arm. I am in love with this necklace (as I am with all these Kurdish-Iraqi pieces!),

Comments

Linda Pastorino March 16, 2015 at 9:46am

I love this. i recently had the good fortune of doing an appraisal on a collection of mostly Tunisian jewelry but the owners mother had collected from all over and she had two very wonderful examples of this type of necklace on long chains.
Lynn Ardent March 17, 2015 at 12:43am

Absolutely spectacular, the best example I have seen of this type. Congratulations Peter! It is another piece for your wonderful cultural museum.
Betty March 17, 2015 at 9:25pm

I can only agree, Peter. This is wonderful. I actually saw a similar piece (not as refined as this one) a good while ago, but at that time did not recognise it for what it was and so I let it pass...
Chantal March 17, 2015 at 9:30pm

So are we...(in love with your pieces).
Linda Pastorino March 19, 2015 at 4:35am

These are the two that i appraised . i had not seen these before except published so it was nice to have been able to see something new. if she decides to sell them , would love to own them.
Linda Pastorino March 19, 2015 at 4:43am

Reverse of one of them , other did't come out well.
Nada March 19, 2015 at 9:42am

I would love to have a discussion of the types of chain used in Middle East jewelry. I know some, but would love to learn more. The type of chain on this beautiful Iraqi Kurdish piece for example, I've heard referred to as Syrian chain. Is this accurate? The chain on Linda's amulet, is known to me as Jerusalem chain (but I don't know whether it was only made in Jerusalem). I know that North African jewelry, Afghani jewelry and Indian jewelry have different kinds of chains too, It would be a great help if those with knowledge could contribute to such a discussion because it would help in the identification process of, at least, necklaces.
Daisy March 28, 2022 at 2:17am

Hey Pete! I just wanted to let you know that this isn’t Kurdish nor Iraqi. This is a necklace worn by Assyrians in Tel Kef and the Nineveh plains. Mainly worn by the Assyrians of the Chaldean Catholic Church. Please do not refer to them as just Christians as that is not their whole identity. This takes away from their indigenous title and minimizes them into just their religion which I only see this done with this particular minority.