"Kazakh Pendant"

The Blick-Harris Study Collection

Title

Kazakh Pendant

Creator

Preview

Creation Date

Late 19th or early 20th century

Geography

Kazakhstan

Medium

Silver and carnelian

Dimensions

Pendent: 2 1/8 × 2 11/15 × 3/15 in. (5.3 × 6.8 × 0.5 cm)

Bell ornaments: 4 1/8 × 2 11/15 × 6/8 (10.8 × 6.8 × 1.8 cm) (depth is of largest bell)

Chain: 13 × 2/8 × 1/10 in. (33 × 0.6 × 0.25 cm)

Max. entire object: 19 4/8 × 2 11/15 in. (49.53 × 6.8 cm)

Weight: 2.889 oz. (81.9 gm.)

Credit Line

Bequest of David P. Harris ('46), 2020

Accession Number

2020.20

Provenance

Purchased by David P. Harris from The Chair Store in San Francisco on March 21, 1979.

Description

This pendant is a pentagonal shaped object attached with chains and bell ornaments. Draping from the bottom of the pendant are two bell ornaments that are angled at different heights by chains. The upper bell is badly damaged and flattened and is missing its internal small ball so it makes no noise. Above the pendant is a braided chain meant to wear around the neck with a clasp attaching it to the pendant. The back of the object contains two decorations that contain carnelian and is completely flat. The decorations are elevated by dotted, zig-zag figures.

This piece includes motifs, color, and ornamentation elements that give it meaning. It has two motifs of dagdans, which, according to Noruzi and Kermani, prevent the evil eye, and they are inset with carnelian, which gives it a distinct red element. Noruzi and Kermani suggest that the red color is against “bleeding, ulceration and abortion.” This suggests that red may symbolize life and fertility, and that its placement on a piece of jewelry is meant to protect against injury and loss of life. The use of this red stone within a dagdan may symbolize a protection of life against death and its association with evil. The association of this stone and its meaning paired with the dagdan can create a connection between a symbol of life within a motif that symbolizes the protection of life.