Marti Dean

Nazarlık and Çengel Gallery · Collection catalogue

Nazarlık 09

Probable protective camel adornment · Anatolia

Full-length view of Nazarlık 09, with circular cowrie-covered head, dark and burgundy fringe, centre coin, and long blue and burgundy pendant cords.
Object 09 · Frontal view Select to view full-size photograph

Photographic details

Close-up of Nazarlık 09 showing concentric cowrie rings, irregular glass beads, a central metal coin and fine dark fringes.
Cowrie rings, glass beads and central coin
Reverse of the circular nazarlık, showing irregular cream-coloured stitches, faded red fabric backing and loose blue and burgundy fringe.
Reverse · Stitches, backing and fringe

Catalogue record

Object
09 · Probable protective camel adornment.
Dimensions
164 × c. 30 cm (length × head width)
Acquisition
Not specified in the present catalogue entry.
Dating
Not established; coin attribution requires examination.

Materials

  • Very thick handmade felt with faded red textile covering; blue and burgundy wool/cotton braids.
  • Cowries and central coin, possibly Ottoman; smooth and hand-faceted irregular handmade glass beads.
  • Broad plaited animal-hair suspension; very fine alternating burgundy/black fringe (c. 1 mm).

Construction And Techniques

  • Coin has two roughly pierced attachment holes and is secured with thick white yarn.
  • Inner cowrie ring contains four larger shells at cardinal points; alternating bead circles and increasingly large shells towards edge.
  • Glass beads threaded and stitched between shells; includes faceted teal and clear barrel beads.
  • Six slim blue braids (c. 1.5 cm) and one burgundy (c. 3 cm), plus separate loop for attachment; bands hang free and divide to paired tasselled cords.

Decorative Features And Motifs

  • Central coin and four-point cross-like shell formation; concentric irregular shells and multicoloured glass beads.
  • Amber, azure, black, red, turquoise and hand-faceted teal glass; fragmentary alternating fine fringe.

Condition And Alterations

  • Significant fading and wear; missing outer bead rings, fragmentary fringe, possible historic insect damage.
  • Blue braids have light flecks, possibly uneven dye; one long strap lacks its original termination.

Motif Research And Cultural Comparisons

  • Cross (haç) is a documented protective motif in some weaving contexts, but this four-cowrie grouping is not identified as that motif [2].
  • Coin identification needs direct examination; even a securely dated coin provides only a terminus post quem for incorporation.

Provenance And Research Notes

  • Close-ups of pierced coin and faceted beads are priorities.