Large, Elaborate Uzbek-Khorezm Silver Necklace

This rare necklace from the Uzbek people, most probably from the Khorezm region and possibly nearby Bukhara, comprises one major pendant with gold-washed silver drops, and six other matched plaques, all joined by multiple silver chains decorated with various beads.

It is of gilded silver with applied filigree work, embellished with coloured glass in dog-tooth settings, as well as tiny beads of genuine coral, and mother-of-pearl beads.

The necklace is elaborate but the stones used mostly are glass, as is typical. As Kalter (1997, p. 289) says, ‘All these types of jewellery from Khorezm show a grotesque discrepancy between the work expended on them and the modest value of the materials involved.’

A similar example is in the Tashkent Museum of Applied Art. Also, Kalter (1997, p. 295) and Seiwert (2009, p. 564) both illustrate related examples.

The example here is complete other than a few minor losses of smaller stones. It is in otherwise very fine condition, and its age is apparent.