Antique Turkmen Comb 2

Product Description

Antique Turkmen Comb 2

Material: Silver, turquoise, carnelian
Style: Turkmen, Central Asia
Size: Height 7 cm, Width 9.75 cm
Order Number: MHSATUC2

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

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.

This double-ended ‘H-style’ comb has two sets of teeth with a central sheet silver grip decorated with carnelian and blue turquoise cabochons.

Traditionally, Turkmen families married off their daughters between the ages of 12 and 15. They wore a lot of wedding jewellery for the marriage ceremony, including hair combs, and this would be an example.

Turkmen combs are rare. This one has a good patina and obvious age. The silver is soft from use. Unusually, the teeth have remained intact.

19th – early 20th century.

Map of Turkmenistan.