Short Temple Pendant, One of a Pair

Two Pairs of Short Temple Pendants (MMA 2010.501.2a, b and MMA 2015.648.12a, b)

Temple pendants such as MMA 2015.648.12a, b are shorter versions of both adamlik and tenechir hanging temple pendants, composed of a single unit. The pair is decorated in typical Teke style and can be dated at least as far back as the 1880s, with some sources dating it as early as the eighteenth century, though this is unlikely. This pair is an excellent example of the sober elegance and stylization of the Teke decorative style. Particularly notable is the upper terminal, where the leaf curls around itself and the separate elements are joined to form a rectangular shape. The teardrop-shaped ornaments are decorated with a sophisticated design: the arabesque is skillfully deployed around the center, which is set with a transparent cabochon, also teardrop shaped, and the whole is surmounted with openwork, again in the teardrop shape. The ornaments are fastened with hooks to the headdress or ears with a fabric backing, which lessens the weight.

The elongated triangular form used for belt fittings was also used for short temple pendants such as MMA 2010.501.2a, b which are executed in typical Kazakh style. These pieces were acquired as a pair, though the designs are complementary rather than matching. Similar silver ornaments have been ascribed multiple functions and described as pendants and shawl pins in the relevant literature.

Layla S. Diba in [Diba 2011]

Marshall and Marilyn R. Wolf, Toronto, Canada by 2006–10; 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. 35, p. 79, ill. (color).