Material: Coins, beads
Style: Afghanistan
Size:  Height 23 cm, Width 17 cm
Order Number: MHSOAN

Tribal necklace from the Kochi tribe in Afghanistan who live in the mountains.

The National Multi-Sectoral Assessment of Kochi in 2004, estimated that there are about 2.4 million Kochis in Afghanistan. About 1.5 million (60%) are fully nomadic^.

They are nomads and semi-nomads, and mostly keep sheep and goats. Meat, dairy products, hair and wool from their animals is exchanged or sold to purchase grain, vegetables, fruit and other products. An extensive network of exchange has developed along the main routes followed by the nomads.

These long-distance routes were closed in the early 1960s when the border with Afghanistan and Pakistan was closed, but many Kochis are still allowed to cross. Migrations inside Afghanistan still continue, although trucks are now used to move livestock and people.

Early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

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Material: Beads, tassels
Style: Afghanistan – Uzbek
Size:  Height 85 cm, Width 19 cm
Order Number: MHSAAUWHD1

Central Asian Uzbek people are found mainly in Uzbekistan and  other parts of Central Asia and Afghanistan. More than 16 million Uzbeks live in Uzbekistan and about 2,000,000 in Afghanistan.

Uzbek tribal bead and braided hair decoration with silver caps and ring ornaments and tassels. Long braided hair was decorated in rural areas to show the girl’s beauty.

Map of Afghanistan.

Early – mid 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Afghanistan Uzbek Woman’s Hair Decoration appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Style: Afghanistan, Indonesia, Iran
Size: Height 41 cm
Order Number: MHSAII1

Bead making has been a highly valued skill throughout the world from the earliest times, at least for 40,000 years. Techniques invented by the Ancient Egyptians and Romans are still used today.

They have been used to guard against evil and as adornment. They can indicate a person’s rank and marital status. They are portable wealth and are traded. They are used as amulets in some societies

They are used by religions. The word bead comes from the Anglo-Saxon biddan, meaning to pray. Roman Catholic rosary beads contain a set number of beads for counting prayers, for example 150 for the psalms. Tibetan Buddhist and Hindu rosaries have 108 beads.

The makers guard their techniques closely. In the 13th and 14th centuries the Venetian Doges monopolised world glass making. in 1292 the glass makers were moved to the island of Murano and forbidden to reveal their secrets or even leave. If they did, the punishment was death.

Beads can be made from anything: bone, horn, glass, wood, metals such as gold, silver, bronze, and brass, ceramic, ivory, seeds, berries, stones, shells, pearls, coral, amber, jet and even plastic.

The powerful east Javanese king Kertanegara, whose capital was in Singosari, was brilliant and erudite but brutal and a drunkard.

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Style: Afghanistan, Indonesia, Iran
Size: Height 37 cm
Order Number: MHSAII2

The necklace includes gold beads, animal shaped beads and eye beads. One appears to be slightly broken on the right hand side.

Bead making has been a highly valued skill throughout the world from the earliest times, at least for 40,000 years. Techniques invented by the Ancient Egyptians and Romans are still used today.

They have been used to guard against evil and as adornment. They can indicate a person’s rank and marital status. They are portable wealth and are traded. They are used as amulets in some societies

They are used by religions. The word bead comes from the Anglo-Saxon biddan, meaning to pray. Roman Catholic rosary beads contain a set number of beads for counting prayers, for example 150 for the psalms. Tibetan Buddhist and Hindu rosaries have 108 beads.

The makers guard their techniques closely. In the 13th and 14th centuries the Venetian Doges monopolised world glass making. in 1292 the glass makers were moved to the island of Murano and forbidden to reveal their secrets or even leave. If they did, the punishment was death.

Beads can be made from anything: bone, horn, glass, wood, metals such as gold, silver, bronze, and brass, ceramic, ivory, seeds, berries, stones, shells, pearls, coral, amber, jet and even plastic.

The powerful east Javanese king Kertanegara, whose capital was in Singosari, was brilliant and erudite but brutal and a drunkard.

The post Antique Bead Necklace 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Style: Afghanistan
Size: Height 29 cm
Order Number: MHSAII3

Very rare, old black amber beads, and silver dots.

Bead making has been a highly valued skill throughout the world from the earliest times, at least for 40,000 years. Techniques invented by the Ancient Egyptians and Romans are still used today.

They have been used to guard against evil and as adornment. They can indicate a person’s rank and marital status. They are portable wealth and are traded. They are used as amulets in some societies

They are used by religions. The word bead comes from the Anglo-Saxon biddan, meaning to pray. Roman Catholic rosary beads contain a set number of beads for counting prayers, for example 150 for the psalms. Tibetan Buddhist and Hindu rosaries have 108 beads.

The makers guard their techniques closely. In the 13th and 14th centuries the Venetian Doges monopolised world glass making. in 1292 the glass makers were moved to the island of Murano and forbidden to reveal their secrets or even leave. If they did, the punishment was death.

Beads can be made from anything: bone, horn, glass, wood, metals such as gold, silver, bronze, and brass, ceramic, ivory, seeds, berries, stones, shells, pearls, coral, amber, jet and even plastic.

The powerful east Javanese king Kertanegara, whose capital was in Singosari, was brilliant and erudite but brutal and a drunkard.

The post Antique Bead Necklace 3 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver
Style: Turkmen, Afghanistan
Size:  Diameter 7 cm
Order Number: MHSSAFB1

Turkmens are a Central Asian Turkic nomadic ethnic group of about 3 million living mainly in Turkmenistan, northern and northeastern Iran and Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and North Caucasus. About 1.9 million live in Turkmenistan.

The  Turkmen are made up of more than two dozen major tribal groups, who were living in Central Asia from the 9th century. With the arrival of Islam in Central Asia, the Turkmen people converted, combining Sunni Islam with elements of their pre-Islamic faith, known as shamanism.

The most important Turkmen tribes, as far as jewelry is concerned, are the Tekke, the Yomud, the Ersari and the Sarik. The Tekke are the largest and most powerful. Turkmen artists are known for weaving carpets—largely the work of women artists—and making silver jewelry, which was the work of male artists.

Turkmen jewelry is now sought after by museums and collectors. It was worn mainly at weddings and for the first few years of marriage. Marriage was extremely important. Jewelry was part of the bride’s dowry, which included carpets and costumes. The textiles were made by the bride and the female family members. Quality gave the family prestige. The bride was given to the groom’s family laden with treasures to demonstrate her family’s wealth and importance.

The question arises how did these agricultural and herding nomads pay for this magnificent jewelry? It’s thought that it was by the slave trade. The Tekke tribe were particularly active in raiding for slaves in northeast Iran. In the 19th century about a million slaves were captured and sold in Bukhara and the city of Khiva. The money was then invested in silver jewelry, bracelets, collar buttons, necklaces and headdress decorations, for the women. Their way of life was pastoral nomadism – they moved where their flocks could graze as the seasons changed. For nomadic groups like this silver and gold were easy to carry.

Early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

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Material: Cotton, coins
Style: Swat Valley, North Pakistan
Size:  Height 15 cm (hat) 77 cm (tail), Diameter 22 cm
Order Number: MHSATWWH2

Swat Valley is sometimes called the Switzerland of Asia. It’s where Malala is from. This headdress would have been worn on a special occasion, such as a wedding. Dye may be made from insects.

Map of Swat.

Probably 1930 -1940s.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

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Material: Silver gilt, carnelians (4 rows of 4 carnelains)
Style: Turkmenistan, Central Asia
Size:  Length 10.5 cm, Width 7 cm (top), 6 cm (bottom)
Order Number: MHSATB

Turkmens are a Central Asian Turkic nomadic ethnic group of about 3 million living mainly in Turkmenistan, northern and northeastern Iran and Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and North Caucasus. About 1.9 million live in Turkmenistan.

The  Turkmen are made up of more than two dozen major tribal groups, who were living in Central Asia from the 9th century. With the arrival of Islam in Central Asia, the Turkmen people converted, combining Sunni Islam with elements of their pre-Islamic faith, known as shamanism.

The most important Turkmen tribes, as far as jewelry is concerned, are the Tekke, the Yomud, the Ersari and the Sarik. The Tekke are the largest and most powerful. Turkmen artists are known for weaving carpets—largely the work of women artists—and making silver jewelry, which was the work of male artists.

Turkmen jewelry is now sought after by museums and collectors. It was worn mainly at weddings and for the first few years of marriage. Marriage was extremely important. Jewelry was part of the bride’s dowry, which included carpets and costumes. The textiles were made by the bride and the female family members. Quality gave the family prestige. The bride was given to the groom’s family laden with treasures to demonstrate her family’s wealth and importance.

The question arises how did these agricultural and herding nomads pay for this magnificent jewelry? It’s thought that it was by the slave trade. The Tekke tribe were particularly active in raiding for slaves in northeast Iran. In the 19th century about a million slaves were captured and sold in Bukhara and the city of Khiva. The money was then invested in silver jewelry, bracelets, collar buttons, necklaces and headdress decorations, for the women. Their way of life was pastoral nomadism – they moved where their flocks could graze as the seasons changed. For nomadic groups like this silver and gold were easy to carry.

Some pieces were protective amulets and talismans. Blue beads gave protection against the evil eye. Orange-red semi-precious carnelians were associated with fertility, blood and life. Shape also was important – triangles in the Middle East gave protection.

Tekke jewelry was symmetrical. A thin layer of gold was applied by heating gold dust and quicksilver. The quicksilver evaporates and the gold sticks to the jewelry. They liked carnelians more than the other Turkmen tribes.

Turkmen double-walled gauntlet-like bracelets (bilezik) were typically parallel, horizontal bands, separated by narrow silver strips. Regularity was enhanced by rows of carnelians placed in the segments.  The narrowest were 3 segments but 5 segments also existed. Most, as in this case, were narrower at the wrists.

At the back the bracelets had oval or sharp points with just enough space to slip it on the arm.

There are similar examples in Ethnic Jewellry from Africa, Asia and Pacific Islands, The Rene van der Star Collection, The Pepin Press, 2008, page 102.

19th century – early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

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Material: Cotton
Style: Turkmen
Size:  Height 105 cm, Width 68 cm (top), 72 cm (bottom)
Order Number: MHSATG4

Turkmens are a Central Asian Turkic ethnic group living mainly in Turkmenistan, northern and northeastern Iran and Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and North Caucasus.

A traditional robe of honour, a loose coat of padded cotton,  called a chapan.

Early 20th century.

Map of Turkmenistan.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Turkmen Coat appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Cotton
Style: Turkmen
Size:  Height 57 cm, Width 60 cm (top), 48 cm (bottom)
Order Number: MHSATG5

Turkmens are a Central Asian Turkic ethnic group living mainly in Turkmenistan, northern and northeastern Iran and Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and North Caucasus.

A Turkmen child’s ceremonial tunic, heavily laden with amulets, coins, discs, tassels, and beads, to protect the child from misfortune.

About 50-60 years old.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Turkmen Girl’s Tunic 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Cotton
Style: Turkmen
Size:  Height 53 cm, Width 46 cm (top), 53 cm (bottom)
Order Number: MHSATG6

Turkmens are a Central Asian Turkic ethnic group living mainly in Turkmenistan, northern and northeastern Iran and Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and North Caucasus.

A Turkmen child’s ceremonial tunic, heavily laden with amulets, coins, discs, tassels, bells, shells, and beads, to protect the child from misfortune.

About 50-60 years old.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Turkmen Girl’s Tunic 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Cotton
Style: Turkmen
Size:  Height 52 cm, Width 53 cm (top), 44 cm (bottom)
Order Number: MHSATG7

Turkmens are a Central Asian Turkic ethnic group living mainly in Turkmenistan, northern and northeastern Iran and Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and North Caucasus.

A Turkmen child’s ceremonial tunic, heavily laden with amulets, coins, discs, tassels, shells, and beads, to protect the child from misfortune.

About 50-60 years old.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Turkmen Girl’s Tunic 3 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Cotton
Style: Turkmen
Size:  Height 57 cm, Width 54 cm (top), 40 cm (bottom)
Order Number: MHSATG8

Turkmens are a Central Asian Turkic ethnic group living mainly in Turkmenistan, northern and northeastern Iran and Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and North Caucasus.

A Turkmen child’s ceremonial tunic, heavily laden with amulets, coins, discs, tassels, and beads, to protect the child from misfortune.

About 50-60 years old.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Turkmen Girl’s Tunic 4 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Cotton
Style: Turkmen
Size:  Height 53 cm, Width 50 cm (top), 44 cm (bottom)
Order Number: MHSATG9

Turkmens are a Central Asian Turkic ethnic group living mainly in Turkmenistan, northern and northeastern Iran and Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and North Caucasus.

A Turkmen child’s ceremonial tunic, heavily laden with amulets, coins, discs, tassels, and beads, to protect the child from misfortune.

About 50-60 years old.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Turkmen Girl’s Tunic 5 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Cotton
Style: Turkmen
Size:  Height 125 cm, Width 52 cm (top), 70 cm (bottom)
Order Number: MHSATG1

Turkmens are a Central Asian Turkic ethnic group living mainly in Turkmenistan, northern and northeastern Iran and Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and North Caucasus.

Turkmen woman’s gown called a chyrpy, lavishly embroidered with small motifs. They are worn over a tunic called a kurta., like a cloak covering the head and shoulders, with the long vestigial sleeves hanging down the back and joined by an embroidered band.

A dark-coloured chyrpy, like this one, would be worn by a young woman, yellow by a married or middle-aged woman, and white by a matriarch.

The motifs most frequently used are stylised flowers, and especially the tulip, the region’s most prolific wildflower, evoking springtime and blossoming.

Early 20th century.

Map of Turkmenistan.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Turkmen Gown 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Cotton
Style: Turkmen
Size:  Height 109 cm, Width 47cm (top), 65 cm (bottom)
Order Number: MHSATG3

Turkmens are a Central Asian Turkic ethnic group living mainly in Turkmenistan, northern and northeastern Iran and Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and North Caucasus.

Turkmen woman’s gown called a chyrpy, lavishly embroidered with small motifs. They are worn over a tunic called a kurta., like a cloak covering the head and shoulders, with the long vestigial sleeves hanging down the back and joined by an embroidered band.

A dark-coloured chyrpy, like this one, would be worn by a young woman, yellow by a married or middle-aged woman, and white by a matriarch.

The motifs most frequently used are stylised flowers, and especially the tulip, the region’s most prolific wildflower, evoking springtime and blossoming.

Early 20th century.

Map of Turkmenistan.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Turkmen Gown 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Cotton
Style: Turkmen
Size:  Height 18 cm, Diameter 16 cm
Order Number: MHSATS2

Turkmens are a Central Asian Turkic ethnic group living mainly in Turkmenistan, northern and northeastern Iran and Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and North Caucasus.

Embroidered hat, made by a nomadic Turkmen woman in Turkmenistan, Central Asia, in about 1920.

The motifs identify the ethnic group, class, religion and area where the wearer lives.

An embroiderer’s skill was important and gave prestige to the woman, her husband and family. Girls learnt the art from their mothers. They embroidered textiles for their dowries, wall hangings, storage bags, cushion covers, sheets and clothes.

Early 20th century.

Map of Turkmenistan.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Turkmen Hat appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Cotton
Style: Turkmen
Size:  Height 11 cm, Diameter 23 cm
Order Number: MHSATS1

Turkmens are a Central Asian Turkic ethnic group living mainly in Turkmenistan, northern and northeastern Iran and Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and North Caucasus.

Embroidered man’s skull cap, made by a nomadic Turkmen woman in Turkmenistan, Central Asia, in about 1920.

Caps are worn by men, women, and children throughout Central Asia. Muslim men wear skullcaps indoors to cover a shaven head. When they were outside in the street or travelling they were worn under a turban .

The motifs identify the ethnic group, class, religion and area where the wearer lives.

An embroiderer’s skill was important and gave prestige to the woman, her husband and family. Girls learnt the art from their mothers. They embroidered textiles for their dowries, wall hangings, storage bags, cushion covers, sheets and clothes.

Early 20th century.

Map of Turkmenistan.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Turkmen Man’s Skullcap 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silk, gold thread, silver thread
Style: Turkmen
Size:  Height 11 cm, Diameter 18 cm
Order Number: MHSATMS2

Turkmens are a Central Asian Turkic ethnic group living mainly in Turkmenistan, northern and northeastern Iran and Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and North Caucasus.

Embroidered man’s skull cap, made by a nomadic Turkmen woman in Turkmenistan, Central Asia, in about 1920.

Caps are worn by men, women, and children throughout Central Asia. Muslim men wear skullcaps indoors to cover a shaven head. When they were outside in the street or travelling they were worn under a turban. Silk skullcaps were only worn by the aristocracy and were extremely finely woven.

The motifs identify the ethnic group, class, religion and area where the wearer lives.

An embroiderer’s skill was important and gave prestige to the woman, her husband and family. Girls learnt the art from their mothers. They embroidered textiles for their dowries, wall hangings, storage bags, cushion covers, sheets and clothes.

Early 20th century.

Map of Turkmenistan.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Turkmen Man’s Skullcap 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver gilt, carnelians, turquoises
Style: Turkmenistan, Central Asia
Size:  Length 43 cm, Width 14 cm
Order Number: MHSATN

Turkmens are a Central Asian Turkic nomadic ethnic group of about 3 million living mainly in Turkmenistan, northern and northeastern Iran and Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and North Caucasus. About 1.9 million live in Turkmenistan.

The  Turkmen are made up of more than two dozen major tribal groups, who were living in Central Asia from the 9th century. With the arrival of Islam in Central Asia, the Turkmen people converted, combining Sunni Islam with elements of their pre-Islamic faith, known as shamanism.

The most important Turkmen tribes, as far as jewelry is concerned, are the Tekke, the Yomud, the Ersari and the Sarik. The Tekke are the largest and most powerful. Turkmen artists are known for weaving carpets—largely the work of women artists—and making silver jewelry, which was the work of male artists.

Turkmen jewelry is now sought after by museums and collectors. It was worn mainly at weddings and for the first few years of marriage. Marriage was extremely important. Jewelry was part of the bride’s dowry, which included carpets and costumes. The textiles were made by the bride and the female family members. Quality gave the family prestige. The bride was given to the groom’s family laden with treasures to demonstrate her family’s wealth and importance.

The question arises how did these agricultural and herding nomads pay for this magnificent jewelry? It’s thought that it was by the slave trade. The Tekke tribe were particularly active in raiding for slaves in northeast Iran. In the 19th century about a million slaves were captured and sold in Bukhara and the city of Khiva. The money was then invested in silver jewelry, bracelets, collar buttons, necklaces and headdress decorations, for the women. Their way of life was pastoral nomadism – they moved where their flocks could graze as the seasons changed. For nomadic groups like this silver and gold were easy to carry.

Some pieces were protective amulets and talismans. Blue beads gave protection against the evil eye. Orange-red semi-precious carnelians were associated with fertility, blood and life. Shape also was important – triangles in the Middle East gave protection.

19th century – early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Turkmen Necklace appeared first on Murni's in Bali.