Turkmen Jewelry

This catalogue explores extraordinary silver jewellery created by Turkmen tribal craftsmen and urban silversmiths throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. It presents nearly 200 pieces in glorious detail, ranging from crowns and headdresses to armbands and rings, and featuring accents of carnelian, turquoise, and other stones.

Examines the geography, history, government, and economy of Turkmenistan along with the lifestyle, religion, language, festivals, and foods common among the country's people.

Where is Turkmenistan? What kind of government does it have? What do people do there for fun? The answers to these questions and many more are found in this detailed guide to life in this Central Asian nation. As readers dig deep into the history, economics, and culture of Turkmenistan, they'll examine full-color photographs of the different parts of this country. Maps help them visualize what they're reading about in the informative narrative and sidebars. Readers are presented with words and phrases common in Turkmenistan, fun facts about its festivals, and recipes for traditional foods.

This book is the first comprehensive introduction to contemporary Turkmenistan in English.

Turkmenistan is a Central Asian country bordered by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. It became an independent country in 1991 after the Soviet Union dissolved. The country's population is predominantly Muslim and its official language is Turkmen. Turkmenistan's economy is heavily dependent on its vast natural gas reserves, which rank fourth in the world. The government tightly controls its natural resources and foreign investment, leading to a lack of economic diversification and limited opportunities for private businesses. The country has been criticized for its lack of political and religious freedoms and its government's authoritarian policies. Despite these issues, Turkmenistan has a rich cultural history, including unique traditions of carpet weaving, music, and crafts.

This issue contains varied articles on art, architecture and crafts.