This Turkish headdress, or tepelik, was attached and worn on top of a fez or similar hat-type structure. Please note the exquisite workmanship of the silver-gilt around the central turquoise bead. This piece is really Turkish, not just “Ottoman,” i.e. made anywhere in the empire over which the Turks presided. This is even so to… Continue Reading
The Uyghurs are a Turkic ethnic group from Eastern and Central Asia; today, Uyghurs live primarily in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China, as a recognized minority group in that country. Continue Reading
Kushtumor are one of a variety of tumars, or protective amulets worn on the chest. Ours are closely related in workmanship, design, and age, to the 19th Century pieces held by the Museum of Applied Art of Uzbekistan in Tashkent. Each amulet has a cord with a counterweight attached to it at the end. The… Continue Reading
Johannes Kalter, author of books on Uzbekistan, Turkestan, Syria, and the Swat Valley, shows pieces of just this kind in Turkestan and Uzbekistan. In his opinion, the veils were definitely worn in front of a woman’s face. The triangle would have been worn high up on the head with the tassels falling down the back.… Continue Reading
This Mongolian amulet with silk fringe was worn on a silver chain, probably by a woman. It was made to protect a single person, and was enameled on one side with a plain silver back. Continue Reading
These hair pins come from China, Inner Mongolia, and they are frequently grouped together and arranged as sets. Continue Reading
This headdress functioned as a “skull cap” and was accompanied by other articles used to decorate the head profusely. Continue Reading
