Pendant

This luxurious pendant worked in gold with inlays of turquoise and red glass cabochons once belonged to a wealthy woman from the Ottoman upper classes. The technique, shape, and style of the floral decoration all point to the later eighteenth century. It was probably part of a luxurious necklace where the pendant would hang in the middle. The red and turquoise colors were thought to have protective properties, while red also is associated with blood. These two colors were particularly favored in marital jewelry as a way of ensuring a healthy life and life cycle of the bride and protect her during birth of children.

Together with slippers, an ornamented head dress, and other jewelry it would complete the luxurious outfit. The pendant was also included in a woman's dowry and considered an important financial reserve.