Gilded silver Uzbek Kultuk Tumar amulet

Old Uzbek,Tashkent/Bokhara Quraan amulet holder which was worn across the shoulders or at the front as a necklace. They were used to hold mostly Quranic verses and sometimes a small Quraan full book.

Made of high-grade silver with fire gilded decoration. The chain holds some mother of pearl and coral beads. The dangles are also made of mother-of-pearl, coral and pearls.

It can be opened both sides with a pin.

The name for it is Kultuk Tumar, and this particular style with gilding was probably worn by Turkomans of Khorezem region, where almost three ethnic nomadic groups have over-lap influences, like Kazak, Turkomans and Uzbek nomadic groups, each using jewellery of other groups with their own touch.

First half of 20th Century, maybe older.

In very good conditions and with great worn patina.

The tumar is 13 cm high with dangles (5,12 in ) and 10,5 cm wide (4,13 in).

The chain is approx. 92 cm long (36,22 in)

References:

“Colliers ethniques d’Afrique d’Asie, d’Océanie et d’Amérique”, Leurquin, Anne, Skira, 2003
“Jewelry from the Orient (Bir Collection)”, Seiwert, Wolf Dieter, Arnoldsche, 2009
“Kyrgyzstan. Ethnic jewellery of Central Asia”, Kadyrov, V., Rarity Firm LTD, 2007
“Schmuck in Afganisthan”, Janata, Alfred, Akademische Druck, 1981

ME16

SOLD