BUKHARA: THE PRINCESS OF CITIES - Tourism in Central Asia: Cultural Potential and Challenges - page 86

FIGURE 22 Suzani (Uzbekistan, 1997).

Jewelry: Caps, earrings, pendants, or temple jewelry were ornamented
with pearls, malachite, jades and topaz designed specifically for Bukha-
ra. Cylindrical or rectangular amulets, ornamented by turquoises, are the
symbols of Bukhara. Amulets worn by men around the upper part of the
arm to protect them against the evil and to give them power is a very old
Turkic tradition. After Islam, this tradition continued as writing verses of
the Koran on them.
Metal Work: The most interesting metal work of copper or silver
pieces is the “alms-bowl of dervish” (Fig. 23). Differing from other metal
works, the motifs on these bowls depict animal fights. Scenes of animal
fights are a Turkic art scene, which is significant in showing the continuity
of Turkic art in Turkestan. On the copper bowl in Fig. 24, there is a figure
of a man playing a musical instrument. On the both sides of this figure,
there are Buddhist knots, which symbolize eternity in Buddhism. This mo-
tif shows that Bukhara was a center of religions and there was a religious
transition in art.