Among Zoroastrian burial items, there is a camel-shaped zoomorphic OSTADON lying there. It was found…
Considering that the photos of the ruling elite were not only memorial but also political in nature, ceremonial clothing and rich weapons should testify to its power and prosperity of their states of stability and the power of rulers.
In some later shots, this dress is complemented by the chekmen, a dark outer robe of woollen cloth. But if in the 1873 photograph the Khan is dressed quite simply and nothing in his appearance indicates his high position, then later both the ruler himself and his court pose with weapons – knives and daggers tucked behind the belt, sabres on a sword belt over their right shoulder or in hand.
The status of the persons in the photograph is indicated not only by the presence of weapons – officials of various ranks, guards and warriors wore them – but also by the rich jewellery decoration of the sword belt and hilt carvings, inlay, and precious stones. Such weapons were made in the court workshops of Bukhara, Khiva and Kokand or acquired ready-made in Persia, where their production was widely developed. Over time, in the court environment, they began to pay more attention to signs of social distinction.
You can learn more about the topic in the book-album “Uzbekistan in historic photographs of the 19th - early 20th centuries in the collections of Russian archives” (Volume XXXVII) in the series “Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan”.
The general sponsor of the project is the oilfield services company Eriell-Group.
_1_1.webp)
