Dorsal Plate Ornament in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, May 2011

Title: Cordiform Pendant

Date: probably 20th century

Geography: Attributed to Turkmenistan

Medium: Silver; fire gilded and chased, with openwork, cabochon and table-cut carnelians, and embossed terminals

Dimensions: H. 18 1/2 in. (47 cm)
W. 10 7/8 in. (27.6 cm)

Classification: Jewelry

Credit Line: Gift of Marshall and Marilyn R. Wolf, 2005

Object Number: 2005.443.1

Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

Dorsal ornaments in heart-shaped or ashik form are common in Turkman jewelry. They often hung from the wearer's head and extended onto their backs. This example is distinguished by its imposing size, its sophisticated openwork at the center (usually plain) and the cylindrical tube or tumar used to hold talismanic Muslim prayer scrolls that crowns the piece.


Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/455228