Khiva head ornament, Uzbekistan

Head ornament “koshine”  worn in the Khorezm region, especially in Khiva, Uzbekistan. The ornament was attached to the headdress with three hooks, one on each end and one at the top.

A bejewelled head piece was an integral element of the wedding attire and was handed down from mother to daughter.  These  Khorezmian ornaments “Koshine”or “kushine” are very attractive. In the centre and on both sides of the compositions were tubed tridents to hold feathers, in between were shaped plates crowned with images of bird pairs symbolizing matrimony and family happiness.

Materials: gilded silver, coral and turquoise.

Provenance: European private collection.

From the 19th century.

Dimensions: 46 x 19 cm

Literature:

“A song in metal. Folk Art of Uzbekistan”, Abdullayev, T, Gafur Gulyam Art and Literature Publishers, Tashkent, 1986, p. 202
“Uzbekistan. Heirs of the Silk Road”, Kalter and Pavaloi, Thames & Hudson, 1997, p. 285
“Il corallo. Nell’ornamento dell’Asia islamica dalla Turchia all’Uzbekistan”, del Mare, Cristina-Vidale, Massimo, Electa napoli, 2001, p. 76-77
“The arts and crafts of Turkestan”, Kalter, Johannes, Thames and Hudson, 1983, p. 122
“Le Monde en Tete”, Seuil, 2019, p. 115

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