Tenge shashbau

Description

Shashbau is a traditional Kazakh jewelry piece designed for women’s braids. The artifact consists of a pair of pendants, each formed by three circular metal medallions (coins) linked vertically by metal rings. The surface of the medallions is decorated with traditional floral and geometric patterns using embossing (repoussé) technique. Small loops are attached at the top for securing the ornament to braids or ribbons. Beyond its aesthetic purpose, the jewelry served a protective function, as its gentle jingling during movement was believed to ward off evil forces.