Gold Necklace

This is a large and ornate gold bridal necklace (known locally as Merta’asha) comprised of bejeweled openwork plaques linked to each other with seven side-by-side decorative chains. The plaques - rounded triangles at top, horizontal rectangles on sides, crescents at center, and a large vaguely hexagonal shape at bottom - have a floral and star designs with inset and/or applied gems (some glass) in green, clear, blue, pink, and pale yellow, plus pearls in raised collet settings, and multi-colored enamel (bottom plaque only). The chains alternate between star-in-crescent cut-out shapes and flower-in-circle cut-out shapes. A thin simple chain ties the necklace behind the neck with a hook and loop closure. These types of necklaces were originally inspired by Indian jewelry, and were later manufactured using Qatari design elements.