Kuchi Jewelry
The kuchi jewelry is the heavy silver ornament of the Kuchi, the nomadic herding people of Afghanistan, who carry their wealth on their persons in the form of large necklaces, headpieces, earrings, bracelets and belt buckles. The pieces are made of silver, often with added amber, carnelian, turquoise and glass beads, and the forms echo ancient styles of Central Asia, with coin-rimmed discs, stamped patterns and chains that jingle as the wearer moves. For a nomadic family, jewelry is a portable bank, and for a bride the dowry ornaments show the status and resources of the two families. Kuchi je