A very unusual most likely Kurdish necklace, from southeastern Anatolia or Iraqi-Kurdistan. The central pendant is a carved blue stone (maybe blue agate) with three chain dangles, metal discs, and a faceted carnelian. The handmade chain is decorated with blue and coral-colored plastic beads. From the chain dangle 26 one-kurus silver coins, minted under Sultan Abdul Hamid II, the last Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. The coins date the necklace to the early part of the twentieth century. The combination of blue and red colors and the composition of the necklace are very pleasing. The necklace is in good antique condition missing only some orange dangles. The necklace is not silver except for the ottoman coins, which are above 80% pure silver.
Length is 46 cm (18")
The central pendant is 2.5 x 3 cm ( 1 x 1 1/4") without the bale or dangles
Weight is 82.8 g
My thanks to the esteemed collector Jean-Marie Criel for helping me narrow down the origin of this necklace.
