Description

Height: 21cm

Width: 15cm

A bold and highly decorative Turkoman-style pectoral ornament, showcasing traditional Central Asian craftsmanship and symbolic design.

The piece is constructed in a cross-form arrangement, centred around a domed boss richly decorated with scrolling gilt-toned motifs and set with a cabochon-style stone.

Radiating from the central form are four stylised arms, each inset with additional coloured cabochon elements in deep red tones, with smaller turquoise-coloured accents.

The combination of warm gilt decoration against the darker metal ground creates strong visual contrast, characteristic of Turkoman jewellery traditions.

Suspended from the lower section are multiple articulated chains terminating in bell-shaped pendants and leaf-form drops.

These elements would have produced subtle movement and sound when worn, enhancing the piece’s ceremonial and decorative impact.

Pectoral ornaments of this type were traditionally worn as part of tribal dress, often signifying status, protection, or cultural identity.

This example functions equally well as a display object, offering strong visual presence and ethnographic interest.