Kirdan
Namechoker; necklace
Dateca. 1900-1925
Possibly madeHistoric Palestine or nearby countries, Middle East or West Asia, Asia
Mediumcotton, silver metal
Dimensionsoverall: 20.5 CM X 33 CM
Credit LineIFAF Collection
Object numberFA.1972.25.61
DescriptionFA. 72.25-61 Kirdān (ca. 1900–25) This elegant choker is called a kirdān and is a loanword from Persian (probably from gardan, “neck"). It is backed by yellowed cotton material. On the cloth strip are thirteen narrow silver bars, arranged vertically one next to the other, on either side of a central silver square. The bars have a circular, banded texture. Hanging from each bar are chain links in floral and inverted teardrop patterns with small Ottoman coins attached at the ends. All of the coins date from either A.H. 1293 (a.d. 1876–77) or 1327 (1909–10). From the center square hang three floral chains which are attached to a large crescent with filigree and grain designs on its surface. Inverted teardrops with coins are suspended from each point of the crescent. A smaller crescent with three coins attached to it hangs from the center of the larger crescent on a chain consisting of rings, a floral, and a lozenge link. There is a very similar necklace to this which is worn in Tripoli, Libya, where, however, it is called sha'iriyya.8 Length: 20.5 cm. Width: 33.7 cm. (Palestinian Costume and Jewelry, Yedida Kalfon Stillman, 1979 ISBN: 0-82630490-7)
