Vintage Silver Islamic Kashkul Necklace

This beautiful necklace features two crescent-shaped kashkuls, one bigger than the other and both adorned with colored glass cabochons. Each kashkul is hand-incised on both sides with vegetal motifs.  The smaller, top kashkul has 6 paisley-shaped dangles, while the top kashkul has 14 paisley-shaped dangles. 

A kashkul is also known as a beggar's bowl and is associated with Sufi dervishes who dedicated their lives to seeking the Divine and had no time to work and earn money, so they would seek the kindness of strangers and collect and store their alms in a kashkul. 

The kashkuls on this necklace are in no way big enough to hold anything substantial, so they are rather symbolic of spiritual receptacles. The necklace is really beautiful and well-made. It is most likely from the first part of the twentieth century and is in good condition. 

Dimensions:

• Wearable length 71 cm or 28"
• Large kashkul 8 x 3.5 cm or 3 1/4 x 1 3/8" without the dangles
• Small kashkul 5.5 x 2.5 cm or 2 1/4 x 1" without the dangles
• Weight 61 g,