A TURKOMAN METAL AND CARNELIAN CHEST ORNAMENT, c. 1900sTurkmenistan, late 19th to early 20th century. The parcel-gilt ornament of rectangular form is cast in openwork with a geometric pattern consisting of small triangles within beaded borders, the four corners and the center are inset with carnelians and pendants in leaf shape are suspended from chains at the bottom section. With a chain and clasp for suspension.Condition: Good condition with expected traces of use and wear as well as minor bending. One carnelian with a crack. Provenance: Romy Rey Collection, London. Romy Rey (1938-2020) was born in Zurich, Switzerland, studied in Paris and Geneva, and settled in London in the 1960s. She shared her life with the artist Brian Davies (1942-2014), in London and in Southern France. Romy was an avid traveler and dedicated collector of tribal art. Her paintings often portrayed images of ancient or tribal objects in imaginary settings.Weight: 114 g Dimensions: Length 40 cm (when fastened)Literature comparison: For a related Turkoman pectoral ornament see The Metropolitan Museum, Accession Number 2008.579.6.Turkoman jewelry is one of the most distinctive and easily recognizable styles of traditional jewelry. It was worn by the nomadic tribes of Central Asia, in the present region of Turkmenistan and parts of northern Iran and Afghanistan.