Camel Necklace with Shells

Artist

Baluch, Western Aghanistan (Afghan)
; Aimaq, Western Afghanistan (Afghan)

Date

Early 20th century

Medium

Wool, shells

Dimensions

Work : 6 ft. 5 in. x 4 1/4 in. (2 m x 10.8 cm)

Credit Line

Gift of Verne Trinoskey and Paula Armintrout Trinoskey

Object Number

2019.25.10

Label

This long, V-shaped textile was made to hang around the neck and chest of a camel. It is decorated with shells of the sea snail polinices mammilla that can be found in the deserts and along the coasts of Iran and Pakistan. These shells were valued by many nomads as symbols of fertility and wealth and often appear as decoration on bags and animal trappings used in wedding ceremonies. [Caleigh White '2020]