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Water symbols

An elegant Tekke tumar with a distinctive character based on its decoration .... the profusion of water symbols both engraved on and cut from the silver surface .. an orchestra of carnelians (22): dark and fire, tablecut and cabochon, oval and teardrop shaped ... set vertically, horizontally and diagonally ...and a choir of five horned figures standing proud at the edges of the triangle. What is clear is that this expresses the hope for the birth of a future generation and for the protection of the woman who wears it. Nineteenth century. Turkestan, Dimensions: 29 x 25cm.
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Comments

  • 2506047739?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024This is a tumar fit for the daughter of a wealthy Turkoman family living in Turkestan at the end of the nineteenth century ... to be worn on her wedding day. And as a preparation for her new life she would have stored some prayers and sacred verses and possibly even some lucky charms  in the tube at the centre: the bozbend. This can still be opened, as shown, but all the personal papers and objects have long since been removed.

  • Beautiful piece! Congratulations!
  • A wonderful tumar and, as always, a well-researched description. Thanking for sharing this piece with us, Thelma.

  • Thanks Edith and Betty. This came from a mixed lot at an auction several years ago so it has very little back story. But I think it is a very powerful piece with strong symbolic messages. I like the fact that we can enjoy the artistry and also understand, to a limited extent, the meaning.

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