Since the early periods of human history, people have not only used the things around them for practical purposes but have also sought to beautify them. It is this desire for beauty that gave birth to one of the ancient and enduring arts—jewelry art.
The art of making jewelry from precious and simple metals, stones, and other materials is not only for decoration but also represents the culture, religion, lifestyle, and philosophy of people.
From ancient times, jewelry making has spread widely across different regions of the world. Archaeological excavations show that even people who lived thousands of years ago crafted jewelry with gold, silver, and stones. Some examples include the golden crowns, rings, and ornaments shaped like the Horus bird in ancient Egypt. In Mesopotamia, there are also rings made from gold and lapis lazuli, skillfully crafted. In our homeland, Turkmenistan, gold and silver jewelry were widely used in the ancient Margush and Merv civilizations to enhance the beauty of women and for other purposes.
The jewelry art of the Turkmen people, our national heritage, is recognized worldwide for its uniqueness, deeply symbolic designs, and artistry. Each pattern on ancient jewelry items such as gold and silver necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, and headpieces has its own history and represents concepts like peace, prosperity, well-being, life, and the fertility of the land.
Even today, jewelry art continues to hold significance. The demand for decorative ornaments continues to grow, and it blends with new technologies. The combination of design and national patterns creates a new, vibrant expression.
Sulgun AGAJANOVA,
chairman of the Garagum etrap Council of the
Mary velayat of the Youth organization of
Turkmenistan named after Magtymguly.
