Gilded Earrings, Afghanistan, Pakistan

Gilded Silver & Blue Glass Ear Pendants

Islamic Katawaz Peoples, Pakistan/Afghanistan

19th century

length: 13.5cm, combined weight: 179g

These pendants were worn from the hair and headdress adjacent to the ears, being too heavy to be suspended from the ears. They comprise a ‘basket’ from which a ‘flowering tree’ grows and are fabricated from embossed silver gilt plaques attached to a silver base and trimmed with dozens of blue glass beads secured by fine wire.

They originate from the Islamic people of the Katawaz basin along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

References

Ear Pendants of similar form are illustrated in Ethnic Jewellery from Africa, Asia and Pacific Islands, Pepin Press, 2002, p. 117; and Al-Jadir, S., Arab & Islamic Silver, Stacey International, 1981, p. 185.

Inventory no.: 596

SOLD