Exhibition: Turkestan Journey

Turkestan Journey is an exhibition of traditional jewellery and textiles from Central Asia dating from the 19th to early 20th centuries from the collection of Almaly Company from Kazakhstan.

The collection was started just 20 years ago and encompasses the works of craftsmen from Western Kazakhstan, who embodied the very finest traditions of national jewellery making and art, as well as accessories from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the Kara-Kalpak area and Kyrgyzstan. It also includes elaborately embroidered robes from Bukhara and national costumes from Tajikistan and Turkmenistan regions as well as filigree belts from Crimean Tatars.

This jewellery differs significantly from region to region with each tribe having it’s own ornament and preferable semi-precious stones. For instance, jewellery from Khorezm may be distinguished by the insets of carnelians and large round corals within pendants and necklaces. Turquoise, pearls and mother-of-pearl were beloved stones of the jewel-makers of Khorezm and Bukhara. The full descriptions of the jewellery may be found within the lavishly illustrated book of the collection published in 2015 by Hurtwood Press.

The exquisite items selected for this exhibition (almost 60) represent all types of ornaments worn in this part of the world during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The full and amazing diversity of Central Asia is laid bare here: from the richly decorated head bands of Uzbekistan and large silver gilt heart-shaped hair ornaments of Turkmenistan to the richly patinated and time-worn stylish silver Kazakh rings.

This private collection, comprising more than one thousand different types of jewellery and textiles from Central Asia, is of great importance to the development and understanding of cultural identity. Not only is it vivid evidence of the preservation of valuable museum pieces, but also a chance to see the cumulative and cultural experience gathered by the artisan jewel-makers of the region throughout their rich and varied history.