Lot 125
Central Asia, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan, Turkoman (Turkman) Tekke peoples, ca. 19th century CE. A striking cast 85% silver bracelet consisting of three horizontal panels adorned with incised scrollwork motifs and four inlaid ovoid agate stones of translucent, fiery red hues. The exterior is covered in a thin layer of 17% gold gilding, making for a golden glow that contrasts with the exposed silver of the 20 spikes that line the opening, 10 on either side. Size: 2.75" W x 3.1" H (7 cm x 7.9 cm); wrist opening at widest point: 2.3" L (5.8 cm); agates (all are relatively similar): 0.6" L x 0.375" W (1.5 cm x 1 cm); quality of silver: 85%; quality of gilding: 17%; total weight: 200.8 grams.
Fabulous jewelry like this was a hallmark of elite men and women in the Turkoman society. Powerful people wore the items they commissioned or gave them as diplomatic gifts to rulers and elites in other countries as a way of showcasing the wealth of their own region. Jewelers worked on commissions from the richest members of society, obtaining precious metal from various mountains in the area, including Ferghana and the Zartalash east of Tashkent. Jewelers worked with a variety of different precious and semi-precious stones, also sourced from far afield. Artisans in cities like Bukhara, Samarkand, and Tashkent kept alive metalworking traditions once common in the medieval period long after Europeans lost them.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private Beverly Hills, California, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#140979
- Condition: Wearable as shown. Minor abrasions and indentations to some areas, with fading to gilding along some exterior areas, otherwise intact and very good. Great patina throughout. Old inventory label within interior curve.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |