Turkmen Silver Tribal Cuff

Three bands of gold-washed silver, nine carnelians, no shyness.

Turkoman jewelers of Afghanistan made this tribal cuff in silver, gold and carnelian. Wide cuffs of this type are commonly worn by Turkoman women as part of a bridal and festival costume. Three horizontal bands are set with oval carnelians in beaded silver bezels, three stones to each band. The spaces between are engraved with scrolling leaf motifs filled in gold. The silver has aged to a soft gray, and the carnelian shows a deep orange red.

About 2 inches high and 3 across. A cuff that makes a sleeve look underdressed.