Featured Ornate Bracelet Mideast ?

I just acquired this heavy bracelet. Weighs approx. 9 ounces. It's somewhat large also. I'm thinking a mans' bracelet. Has 3 carnelian stones. The background is brass. The brass is overlain by quite ornate silver (?) work. The interior looks and polishes like silver. width of face is 1 - 5/8 inches and the wrist opening is also 1 - 5/8 inches. Thickness is almost 1/8 inch. I can see what looks like saw marks (kirf marks) or sanding marks along each edge. It is very stiff and doesn't bend easily. The main body may be silver but if so. may be 800 or lower. My first thought is Moroccan but......... A [ATTAC appreciate your thoughts on this.

 

very nice...

@Any Jewelry

 

Beautiful cuff, Gus. It is a classic Turkmen/Turkoman bracelet from Central Asia, called 'Bilezik'. It is indeed silver, and probably a good fineness, set with carnelians. The 'claws' at the ends are meant for protection, as is the reddish colour of the carnelians.

There are different styles. If I remember correctly, this style with more filigree and granulation is from the western part of the Turkmen region. The granulation is Kazakh influence.

Bilezik used to be worn in pairs, but most pairs were split up.
None of my bilezik bend btw, they are extremely rigid, and heavy.

 

Madamme , the more I look at this site, the more of a valuable asset I find you to be !!!

Thank you for educating us on the mysterious East .............

 

Just read this, missed it before. It is a woman's bracelet.

 

Thank you, kind sir.

 

Thank you for your quick response and for sharing. I found in in an antique mall and passed over it vowing that if it were still available on my next visit that I would purchase it. Well it was and I did. It was pretty dirty but cleaned up nicely. Knowing it's origin makes it doubly desirable.