The Avar female jewelry was legendary. Its heaviness, rich design, and intricate craftsmanship caused general wonder. Evgeny Shilling, poet and ethnographer wrote that from her forehead to the hem of her tunic the 19th century Avar bride looked like ‘one solid piece of sophisticated silver jingling and swaying when she moved’.
The Avar jewelry items often represented an oblong frame with multiple pendants and other decorative elements. The most prominent piece of the bridal jewelry set was the so called ‘koots’, a luxurious multi-layered breast ornament, sometimes reaching the bride’s knees. Such decoration was usually part of the bride’s dowry, but occasionally it was included in the collection of gifts to the bride from the groom’s parents, depending on the family affluence
The Avar jewelry items often represented an oblong frame with multiple pendants and other decorative elements. The most prominent piece of the bridal jewelry set was the so called ‘koots’, a luxurious multi-layered breast ornament, sometimes reaching the bride’s knees. Such decoration was usually part of the bride’s dowry, but occasionally it was included in the collection of gifts to the bride from the groom’s parents, depending on the family affluence