19th Century Gilded Silver Turkoman Belt

Weight: 542g, 73cm

Materials: Silver, Gold Gilding, Leather

Date: Turkoman, 19th Century AD

Provenance: Acquired from a Canadian collection in the 2010s.

The Turkoman cultural group has been present in Central Asia since the 19th Century, throughout areas including Iran, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan. Turkoman jewelry is an important part of Islamic cultural heritage.

The belt is typically made of a base material, often leather, onto which gilded silver elements are attached. The silver elements are intricately crafted and may be adorned with enamel, semi-precious stones, or glass accents for additional decoration.

The belt consists of a central panel and multiple smaller panels or plaques that are linked together. These panels are crafted from gilded silver and feature detailed engravings, filigree work, or embossed designs. The designs often showcase geometric patterns, floral motifs, or symbols significant to Turkoman culture.