Ethnic Design Collection Reto Zehnder

The two amulet boxes are ideal to design your own necklace. 

Beautifull old earrings bought in Afghanistan but they have a strong Turkmen innfluence.

Beautiful and easy wearable cuff bracelet probably from northern Afghanistan

Pair of extraordinary cuff bracelet probably from northern Afghanistan or Turkmenistan. Beautiful patina, signs of prolonged use. It's rare to findt this type of cuffs as a pair.

This is a beautifully pendant necklace. The Pendant has a raised centre with a heart-shaped carnelian imitation. The pendant also has fine silver repousé work all around.  From the pendant dangle  7 dangles with a drop-shaped Lapis Lazuli on each end. One dangle needs to be resoldered, see picture).

This oval shaped  pendant necklace has a raised centre with an oval Lapis Lazuli in its centre. The pendant also has fine repousse work. From the pendant dangle  8 dangles with a drop-shaped Lapis Lazuli on each end. 

I was unable to find any reference for this type of pectoral? plate in all my literature on Turkmen jewellery. The only rectangular plate I could see were those used as headgear, but this one seems somewhat rigid to be bent around the forehead, the collar also does not speak for such use.

Rare and extremly pleasant Turkman necklace, easy to wear. 

Amulet holders, tumars, were produced in a variety of styles and sizes, throughout Central Asia. The present one has a triangular component joined at the bas by a hollow cylinder which housed prayers or qur'an verses. Tumars were worn on the chest. The present example is antique large amulet holder, which lost some of its chains and pendants (see picture). Tumar is the most prestigeous element in a women's wedding finery.

Part of the everyday clothing of the Turkmen women. Gilded silver and red glass beads.

We could find no reference on a similar item. This massive, double-sided elements seem to have been stitched to a cloth, a bag? Could be Qaraqalpaqs

Nice silver, partly fire-gilded and chased pendants, called tenecir, with openworks and a carnelian cabochon. These earrings of the Tekke ethnicity have a stylized anthropomorphic form and are usually worn by unmarried girls.

Part of the everyday clothing of the Turkmen women. Gilded silver and red glass beads.

Women attach the adamlyk to each side of their headdresses to frame the face.

The earrings bear curvilinear motifs taken from the tekke tradition. Invested with a prophylactic role, the bangles add a seductive sound. These earrings were generally attached to a headdress.

An unusual set of bird-shaped armbands. These remarkable bracelets feature a wavy outline with a myriad of small turquoise and carnelian beads. The centre is occupied by a large carnelian cabochon. One of the cuffs has a small crack on one end.  Sometimes referred to as Kuchi, but Kazakh origin seems more likely, even so, if this item was bought in Afghanistan.

Beautiful silver work with a large imitation carnelian in the centre.

An extraordinary tschapraz, fire-gilded and finely chased. Five oval carnelian beads lovely tassels complete this beautiful piece.

Excellent ajour work, silver glided with a carnelian cabochon on its centre.

This rare bracelet has a lozange shape  decorated withone larget red carnelian. Red carnelian was believed to protect the wearer against miscarriage and disease. Red itself was associated with happiness and fertility. The silver is decorated with a rich embossed and applied design and wire. The ends are bordered by motifs known as snake's head, or yilan bash.

This braclet known as Qasli Bilezik is decorated with three table-cut oval red carnelians. Red carnelian was believed to protect the wearer against miscarriage and disease. Red itself was associated with happiness and fertility. The silver is decorated with an embossed and applied design and wire. The bracelt is likely from the Yomund tribe.

This heavy bracelet known as  bilezik is decorated with two rows of 3 table-cut red carnelians. Red carnelian was believed to protect the wearer against miscarriage and disease. Red itself was associated with happiness and fertility. There are six such plaques on each bracelet.The silver is decorated with an embossed and applied design and wire. The ends are bordered by motifs known as snake's head, or yilan bash. One carnelian has some cracks.

Kazakh Silver bracelet with claw, from Central Asia ( Kazakhstan ). It is decorated with stylised floral engraved motifs and embellished with gold plating.  Five raised oval sections are set with Lapis Lzuli. These bracelets are not adjustable due to their solid  and rigid construction, as the antique pieces are. 

A stunning silver cuff bracelet open on one side and edged with serrated, triangular elements known as ‘snakes’ heads’ meant to symbolise life and give the wearer talismanic protection. It is decorated with engraved motifs and embellished with fire gilding (gold plating) and applied granular work. Four raised oval sections are set with deep red glass. Bracelets such as this were often part of a bride's dowry. The size cannot be adjusted.