Vintage Turkish lace necklace

Most individually designed jewelry comes with a story or inspiration of some sort, but who would have thought that a necklace could carry the history of a culture? This necklace made out of vintage Turkish lace combines both the ‘oya’ typically used to adorn the edge of patterned headscarves and the ubiquitous blue evil-eye bead, or ‘nazar boncuk’. The evil-eye bead in a multitude of forms is featured in every home in Turkey above the front door, in the car to protect drivers, and even pinned to clothing. The lineage is rich and the history about both is fascinating and plentiful. Recently posted on the site.

Lace-making and scarf trim embellishment is an ancient art in Turkey that traces back to the Phrygians in 8th century BC. Even today, Turkish women with adept fingers make lace, or dantelle, in groups over tea. Sold in small shops and bazaars on informally set up tables and displays, this master craft maintains a place in society. When a lace edge is stitched onto a scarf using a delicate pattern, it is called ‘oya’ and is often very tiny, as this detail shows in centimeters.

For additional information on oya, fabrics, motifs, and Turkish culture in general, I found the Turkish Culture Portal to be an excellent resource.