A modest find 1

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A modest find 1

Posted by Betty on March 28, 2016 at 9:01pm

Two small finds I picked up in Kazakhstan. Both are keyrings, known as "giltshalg'ısh" by the Karakalpaks. According to karakalpak.com "For everyday wear the giltshalg'ısh was hung around the neck and then the keys were suspended from it."The larger one features a cornelian and measures 6.5cm in length, the smaller one is only 4.4cm long and has a drilled glass stone.

Comments

Thelma March 29, 2016 at 9:39am

Another exciting find! I couldn't believe my eyes. These are so difficult to find over here. Obviously Almaty is a good place to go in order to find Karakalpak pieces. There has long been a connection between the Kazakhs and the Karakalpaks. When is your next visit? :))
Betty March 30, 2016 at 3:05pm

Thank you, Thelma. I guess I was luck to find these pieces in a small shop at the Central State Museum, tucked away on a lower shelf behind the counter...Another one I saw in an antiques shop in town. They had some more Karakalpak jewellery, quite costly though, and the owner also explained to me about the connection between the Karakalpaks and Kazakhs. I will check my photos for some of the items I saw and post them... I may also sell one of the giltshalg'ıshs, but I am not decided since they are both really lovely... Perhaps I will travel to Almaty again later this year.
Betty March 30, 2016 at 4:34pm

Here is a haykel I saw in Almaty:
Thelma March 30, 2016 at 6:50pm

Yes, this is an excellent haykel, Betty. I think it has survived so well because it has been protected by the frame. It seems to have been made for a different group or settlement and probably by a different jeweller from the one who made mine. It is really very striking.
Betty March 31, 2016 at 1:08pm

The price was striking too :-)

Photos

A modest find 1

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