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Comments

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  Thelma April 20, 2015 at 5:00pm

  This is an oddly shaped amulet in the throes of an identity crisis. One of its names is 'dagdan', a hardwood tree which grows high in the mountains of Central Asia and is associated with purity, strength and protection. 'Kerbagka' and 'Golbaqa', both meaning 'frog', are other commonly used names for it .... associated with water and fertility. Or is it a double-headed eagle, the standard of the Russian empire and associated with strength.
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  Mustafa J. Salem April 20, 2015 at 5:07pm

  Very nice to know about this piece all the information. Lovely piece Thelma. Thanks for the posting and for the offered information as well.
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  Joost Daalder April 20, 2015 at 5:40pm

  Nice indeed! Not a common shape, in my experience. As you say, the form is almost like that of a hybrid!
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  Thelma April 20, 2015 at 7:26pm

  Thank you Mustafa and thank you Joost. Yes, when I look at this piece, I can see the dagdan tree in the space above the central carnelian - the branches spreading wide from the periphery. But when I look at the whole piece, I can clearly see the frog, squatting there with its rounded back and its back feet spreading. But only with great difficulty can I see the double-headed Russian eagle on this one. One would have to reimagine the top of the amulet, reshape two of the dagdan branches so that they look more like birds heads.
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  Betty April 20, 2015 at 7:56pm

  This is a beautiful piece, Thelma. Congratulations!

  Did you see the one from Savanna Caravan's collection. The shape is quite similar (or at least seems similar to me):

  https://www.savannacaravan.com/1846/dagdan-teke-silver-fire-gilded-...
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  Thelma April 20, 2015 at 9:14pm

  Thanks Betty. You have highlighted another of the problems associated with this piece ... which is the top and which is the bottom:)) The amulet belongs to a family of similar pieces, some smaller and some much larger with a fringes of tassels at the bottom. The smaller pieces may be threaded onto necklaces, the middle sized ones may be sewn onto clothing and the huge ones are usually worn as pectoral jewellery by young women. This one is a middle sized one (13cms x 7cms) and was sewn onto clothing. I will attach a (rather bad) photo to show the flat loops used for sewing.
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  Peter Hoesli April 21, 2015 at 12:25pm

  Dear Thelma; What a beautifully shaped piece, so unusual - I love it! With kind regards. Peter
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  Thelma April 21, 2015 at 3:02pm

  Thank you, Peter. One of the interesting things about these pieces is the way the shape varies - there were no templates. What an opportunity that gave to a creative silversmith to make a pleasing adjustment here and there, particularly as the shape was so odd in the first place. Maybe that is how the double eagle emerged. I will post some photos of some other medium sized amulets. The first picture is from Hermann Rudolph's Turmenenschmuck; the second is from Janata's Schmuck in Afghanistan.
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  berberia April 21, 2015 at 7:25pm

  I agree with all previous comments. It is a great piece, Thelma.
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  Thelma April 21, 2015 at 8:32pm

  Thanks Marc. I also like the Kuchi torque you showed not long ago:)) A beautiful piece.