Long Temple Pendant, One of a Pair

Two Pairs of Temple Pendants in Tenechir Form (MMA 2007.497.2a, b and MMA 2005.443.2a, b)

Temple pendants in tenechir form are composed of four or five units that recall the adamlik shape (see MMA 2009.530.6a, b and MMA 2008.579.5) but are not as anthropomorphic, making reference to a more vegetal and floral decorative vocabulary. They are also somewhat more narrow and graduated, with either the units or the linking elements diminishing in size.

Examples from this group are decorated in Teke and Yomut styles. The aesthetic effect of MMA 2007.497.2a, b is achieved by the elegance of the tripartite vegetal forms and the profusion of stones in subtly varied tones. MMA 2005.443.2a, b relies on the pleasing regularity of the design of vertical units and the lacelike openwork of arabesque units. The impression of delicacy is enhanced by short, graduated chains with pointed pendants that hang gracefully over each arabesque element.

Layla S. Diba in [Diba 2011]

Marshall and Marilyn R. Wolf, Toronto, Canada (until 2005; gifted to MMA)

Diba, Layla S. "Silver Ornaments from the Marshall and Marilyn R. Wolf Collection." In Turkmen Jewelry. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2011. no. 32, p. 76, ill. (color).