Enquiry about object: 6089
Katawaz Gilded Silver & Glass Trade Bead Ear Ornaments
Katawaz People, Katawaz Basin, Afghanistan-Pakistan Border Area 19th century
heights: 11.5cm, widths: 7.4cm, combined weight: 155g
Provenance
UK art market
These pendants were worn from the hair and headdress adjacent to the ears, being too heavy to be suspended from the ears. Each comprises a rounded ‘basket’ from which a ‘flowering tree’ grows and is made from embossed silver-gilt plaques attached to a silver base and trimmed with dozens of blue, white and red glass beads secured by fine wire and twine.
They originate from the Islamic people of the Katawaz basin along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
Ear Pendants of similar form are illustrated in Ethnic Jewellery (2002, p. 117), Al-Jadir (1981, p. 185), Seiwert (2009, p. 189) and Ghose (2016, p. 188).
The examples here are in excellent condition. The array of beads from one to the other are not precise matches most probably on account of old restringing of one.
The reverse of each shows high-grade silver with a wonderful patina, and includes a silver hook to aid with the suspension.
References
Ethnic Jewellery from Africa, Asia and Pacific Islands, Pepin Press, 2002.
Ghose, M. (ed.), Vanishing Beauty: Asian Jewelry and Ritual Objects from the Barbara and David Kipper Collection, Art Institute of Chicago, 2016.
Al-Jadir, S., Arab & Islamic Silver, Stacey International, 1981.
Seiwert, W.D., Jewellery from the Orient: Treasures from the Bir Collection, Arnoldsche Art Publishers, 2009.
