Ottoman Kirdan from Greece or Turkey

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Ottoman Kirdan from Greece or Turkey

Posted by Lynn Ardent on May 19, 2015 at 11:31pm

This is an Ottoman choker from Greece or Turkey which has undergone some rehabilitation in order to be wearable. The cloth has been replaced, and probably the silver end pieces and center plaque as these pieces are sterling and the rest is medium to low grade silver. The central blue flower has niello writing on the back, can anyone read it? Photo of back in comments.

Comments

Lynn Ardent May 19, 2015 at 11:36pm

Here is a photo of the design on the back.
Ethnic Embellishments May 20, 2015 at 2:10am

It says, "Masha' Allah", something that is said to protect against the evil eye.
Lynn Ardent May 20, 2015 at 2:28am

Thank you Hillary! That is perfect considering it's on the back of a blue ceramic/glass flower.
Sami Yousef May 20, 2015 at 9:02am

Regardless of the rhabilitation process, it looks beautiful Lynn. I admire the niello on the back. Br,Sami
Betty May 20, 2015 at 9:32am

Lynn, this is gorgeous. I love it very much! the coins and the variety of dangles are as fabulous as the focal piece and niello details. Congratulations.
I have a rather simple necklace with exactely the same silver wire dangles and crescents as featured in your much fancier choker here. Will post a photo later if I get round to it ....
Lynn Ardent May 21, 2015 at 4:06am

Thank you for your kind comments, Betty and Sami. It is very beautiful and delicate on, weighing about 125 grams. I have seen your lovely Ottoman necklace on Etsy, Betty and I agree the dangles are the same.
Peter Hoesli May 22, 2015 at 2:49pm

This is very nice indeed Lynn. I especially like the filigree part in the dangles - very nice and not often seen in such pieces. With kind regards. Peter
Lynn Ardent July 25, 2015 at 5:04pm

I now believe that this necklace is mainly from Greece although some of the rehab components may be from Turkey. See this example in a Greek museum.
Jean-Marie Criel March 17, 2016 at 11:47pm

Dear Lynn,

as I reported to you earlier (on Pinterest, I think), the 'gerdanlık' you posted as a reference is on exhibit in the Edirne Museum, which is a Turkish museum (not Greek...). But close enough to Greece (about 5 km) to keep the possibility of a Greek origin of the piece open. On the other hand: this kind of choker is rather common in Turkey, which makes a Turkish/Anatolian origin more plausible than a Greek one. With kind regards, JM.

Gallery

Ottoman Kirdan from Greece or Turkey

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