Traditional Uyğur Jewelry

Traditional Uyğur jewelry inherits much of its style from historical Turkic and Inner-Asian jewelry traditions. The pieces that fall under this category of Uyğur Jewelry typically possess a combination of the following traits:

• Half-moon Shape

This shape is mostly utilized in hoop-style earrings such as the one seen above.

• Abstract Cloud Shape

Cloud Shape 1 makes up the body of the this earring, while Cloud Shape 2 makes up the upper portion that is connected to the hook.

Cloud Shape 3 makes up the body of the this earring, while Cloud Shape 4 makes up the upper portion that is connected to the hook.

Cloud Shape 5 makes up this pendant.

Ultimately, these "cloud" shapes are derived from the Oğuz Tuğrıl or double-headed eagle shape.

• Wheel Shape

Wheel shapes are essentially limited to these specific category of earrings.

• Floral shape

This earring exhibits a rare type of floral shape in Uyğur jewelry.

Barring the Cloud Shape 2 tassel bead, the tassel beads of this (repurposed) necklace exhibit some of the more common types of floral medallion-like shapes in Uyğur jewelry.

• Triangular shape

Found among Uyğur tassel pendants and in their variations of Tumars.

• Rectangular shape

• Silver content

• Gold content (rare)

• Enamel (somewhat rare)

• Coil filigree with a center granule

• Coiled wire filigree

• Flower petal filigree

• Crescent-shaped filigree

• Floral filigree (typically 5 to 6, sometimes 8, petals)

• Floral filigree terminals and ornaments

• Ordos filigree

• Dragon or "S"-shaped filigree (rare)

• Granulation

• Micro-granulation

• Gems and stones (various)

• Coral

• Dragon / "S"-shaped chain

• Turkmen / double-ladder chain

• Ottoman / rolo chain (rare)

• Diamond shaped charms

• Afghan / kuchi charms

• Turkmen charms (rare)