The Turkoman Horse Collection

The Turkoman are a Turkish-speaking semi-nomadic people from Central Asia. Turkoman peoples have resided in Afghanistan and Northern Iraq for many years.

The Turkoman Horse Collection includes pieces inspired by the traditional metal work of the region. The pendants show a horse in silver with an inlay of brass in a flowing design.

In two of the pieces, the design is embellished with carnelian. Each has a different interpretation. One necklace is done in agate and brass accented by traditional silver beads with brass inlay. The other is done in coral with silver and highlighted with non-traditional silver beads with a brass accent.

The third features lapis lazuli. It was created around a unique double horse pendant of silver, inlaid with brass, and accented with lapis lazuli. My design combines shaped lapis beads with silver and brass to produce the final necklace.

Many gemstones have long and complex histories. Carnelian was highly valued for ornamentation by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. Like many other gemstones, agate was seen to provide protection for the wearer. Coral was thought to have curative powers and was traded as early as the first century AD. Coral was also used by the Ancient Egyptians. Lapis was considered an aphrodisiac by the ancient Romans and also was prized by ancient Egyptians.