Head ornament
Head Ornament
1850-1899 (made)
1850-1899 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Elaborate discs were worn as women’s head ornaments in towns and villages throughout the Ottoman Empire. They were attached to the top of a cap or fez, and often had pendants hanging down from the rim. The details varied from place to place.
This example was bought in Jerusalem, and would have been worn on the top of a high cloth headdress covered with coins, which was customary in the region. The name ‘Kurs’ is an Arabic word meaning disc, which was the name usually used in Egypt. In the Balkans and Anatolia the Turkish name tepelik was more common.
This example was bought in Jerusalem, and would have been worn on the top of a high cloth headdress covered with coins, which was customary in the region. The name ‘Kurs’ is an Arabic word meaning disc, which was the name usually used in Egypt. In the Balkans and Anatolia the Turkish name tepelik was more common.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Head ornament (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Repoussé and filigree silver with a turquoise paste |
| Brief description | Silver disc head ornament (Kurs) with repoussé and filigree decoration and a turquoise paste, Syria, 1850-1899. |
| Physical description | Slightly convex silver disc with repoussé decoration of six raised heart shapes alternating with stylised trees. There is a raised open filigree dome in the centre, attached by a split pin, with a turquoise paste on its top, and an applied strip round the rim. Underneath, near the rim, are six loops, each holding a loose ring. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Arabic inscription in six parts. (Inscribed at the base of the trees.)
|
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Elaborate discs were worn as women’s head ornaments in towns and villages throughout the Ottoman Empire. They were attached to the top of a cap or fez, and often had pendants hanging down from the rim. The details varied from place to place. This example was bought in Jerusalem, and would have been worn on the top of a high cloth headdress covered with coins, which was customary in the region. The name ‘Kurs’ is an Arabic word meaning disc, which was the name usually used in Egypt. In the Balkans and Anatolia the Turkish name tepelik was more common. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.99-1914 |
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| Record created | March 28, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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