Enquiry about object: 6927
Katawaz Gilded Silver Ear Ornaments
Katawaz People, Katawaz Basin, Afghanistan-Pakistan Border Area 19th century
length: approximately 11.9cm, width: 7.2cm, combined weight: 136g
Provenance
private European collection
This pair of ornaments were worn from the hair and headdress adjacent to the ears, being too heavy to be suspended from the ears themselves. Each comprises a rounded ‘basket’ from which a ‘flowering tree’ grows and is made from embossed silver-gilt plaques attached to a silver base. Each plaque is inset with a blue glass cabochon.
Such ear ornaments originate from the Islamic people of the Katawaz basin along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
Ear ornaments 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 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.
