Öngirzhiek

Description

This women’s chest ornament is an example of traditional Kazakh jewelry from the early 20th century. The piece consists of a rectangular hollow metal plate filled with mastic. Six metal loops are soldered to the upper part of the plate, from which pendants in the shape of petals hang.
The surface of the plate is decorated with castings: one oval-shaped in the center and four petal-shaped at the corners. The castings contain inserts of red-colored glass. The edges of the plate and the oval casting are framed with twisted wire, with a pressed ribbon between them. The surface and insert feature triangular grain patterns. On the back, a small metal box is soldered where women inserted prayer notes, and on the sides, two loops with chains are attached. This ornament served not only a decorative but also a sacred function.
Date: Early 20th century.
Material: Silver.
Technique: Chasing, glass setting, pressing.
Size: 9 × 9 cm.