Earring, One of a Pair

Unknown

19th century · Silver, gold, coral, seed pearls, glass · Islamic Art

These beautiful pendant earrings were worn as part of an ensemble of jewels, including necklaces, head and hair ornaments, bracelets and rings. The variety of gemstones in these jewels illustrate the plethora of goods available in Bukhara, an important site located along the silk road. Coral may have been sourced from as far as the Mediterranean Sea, India, or China. Seed pearls would have been fished from the region of the Persian Gulf. Here, beads of glass are used in place of precious gemstones, giving a vibrant, polychrome finish to these jewels.

Artist

Unknown

Date

19th century

Medium

Silver, gold, coral, seed pearls, glass

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891