Metal Artistry from Lonely Land Kyrgyzstan Part-III

Jewelry making is an art and visible in many parts of the world. Some of the countries has taken it to finesse and presented in its own grandiose forms. Kyrgyzstan is one place, to develop finest metal artistry in jewelry making.

Kyrgyz jewelry 

This is an ancient art of Kyrgyzstan. During its old days silversmiths had enjoyed high respect in society due to this art. They were treated as skilled creators and as high as shaman like figures mysterious powers over fire and iron.

Jewelry

Jewelry has always been a favorite topic for women to speak on; however, women of Kyrgyzstan wear jewelry which is highly defined in designs.

KJ 1; ornate silver jewelry

KJ 2 Ornate silver ear rings

KJ 3 complete set of jewelry

KJ 4 gold jewlery

They wear rings; shakek, earings;iymek, bracelets;bilerik, decorated with precious and semi-precious stones. Jewelry has always been highly carved, and engraved. A controlled and primitive bonding is created between design and metal making this jewelry and articles, distinctive from others.

Jewelry are made using silver coins, iron and silver from travelling merchants as basic raw materials.

Techniques for making jewelry are forging, stamping, cutting, embossing and engraving. Niello, lace, filigree plated, grain patterns are few techniques.

KJ 5 stone studded jewelry

KJ 6 ornate silver jewelry

KJ 7 hand cuffs rings 

To make patterns and design variable, they mix the techniques for example; niello is combined with engraving, pearl and coral are added to filigree and grain patterns.

Motifs

Inspiration of motifs are always being taken from geometry shapes like triangles, intersecting circles, zig zag, four petals rosettes, radial and starry rosettes, bracket forms, running waves, winding shapes, sprouting scrolls, cross like shapes, horn like scrolls, and many more modern design are also included with ancient ones.

KJ 9 studded ring

KJ 10 silver and coloured jewelry

Breast Jewelry : soiko jelbyroch

This is more elaborate and ornate. It is traditional jewelry to be passed from one generation to other and it is worn specifically on wedding day. It is a symbol of respected woman and has to necessarily wear it at marriage and seasonal migrations from winter pastures to summer pastures. This personifies wealth and class of tribe.

KJ 11 breast jewelry 

KJ 12 coin jewelry

KJ 13 eloborated breast jewelry

KJ 14 complete set of jewelry

Only highly skilled silver smiths create this.

It is quarter meter long and made with engraved conical pendants, different shaped plates, plentiful annulated chains, and patterned petals arranged in fringes and clusters. A winding silver chain, corals and cornelian create a delicate harmony of colours and make shapes soft and melodic.

Men Belts: Kemur Kur

Different methods of embossing, cutting and engraving are used to make men belts and involves plenty of decorative colourful materials, metal plates, with neillo and embossed patterns, engraved plates, flat silver brasses with colourful stones and corals to decorate leather.

Besides this antique rings and bracelets are other jewelry made with delicacy to maintain beauty.

KJ 15 Ancient pattern ring 

KJ 16 contemporary jade jewelry

KJ 17

KJ 18

KJ 19 stone studded jewelry

KJ 20 stone studded jewelry

Folklore

Smiths and jewelers are usually men and pass the skill from generation to generation. Sometimes women also get involved. Skills also pass through masters to apprentice.