Kuchi Medallions - Vintage Connected Beaded Gul i Peron - PAIR Panels - Belly Dance Costuming

Pair of connected Kuchi beaded medallion pieces. The round medallions on the ends are called gul i peron, tikka medallions or sometimes Kuchi dress flowers. These vintage tribal decorative pieces from Afghanistan have been removed from clothing or accessories and are ready to embellish new items. Colorful, intricate and easy to add to belly dance costuming. Made from glass seed beads and sometimes embellished with pom poms, bells, mirrors, sequins or other decorative elements. Handmade by the Kuchi women in Afghanistan.

Handmade beadwork may have some slight variation in size, shape or pattern.  Medallions are usually made from glass seed beads and sometimes metallic thread embroidery (also possibly plastic beads that imitate tiny cowrie shells) with a backing material that can include a cardboard or plastic disc covered in fabric or a backing of felt, which can sometimes be made from animal hair.  Backing material may be quite thick or stiff, or can be thin and flexible. 

Item No. TDP0054
Size:  14 inches end to end. Medallions are 4.25 inches wide.
Thickness:  About 1/2 inch
Base:  Medallions are layered fabric and cardboard. Connecting panels are fabric and plastic sheeting.
Colors: Multi
Materials: Glass beads, fabric, cardboard, plastic sheeting
Additional Info: These pieces make great matching belt panels for costuming.
As with most Kuchi beadwork pieces, the edges on the fabric are raw.
Country of Origin: Afghanistan
Condition: Vintage

This listing is for a PAIR of connected bead medallions.

Beadwork items often become worn after a relatively short period of time, repairs often show where the original maker or owner tried to keep the item in good condition.  These pieces may be  frayed, worn or have other evident wear.  Beadwork may come loose in places.  Please check all photos carefully for condition and be aware that this wear is a part of the vintage cultural nature of these items.  Loose beading can often be repaired easily using a beading needle and beading floss.  If you have questions about any of our items, please let us know by emailing us at info@redcamel.net.

Afghani beadwork is some of the finest in the world, often with intricate mathematical patterns.  (Studies have been done on the mathematics of Kuchi beadwork - ask me about it!)  Please be aware that these pieces have been used and reused, often many times, and will show wear in places.  If necessary, beadwork can often be repaired simply by running a bit of beading floss through the beads and knotting it securely.

A NOTE ON THE CONDITION OF TRIBAL ITEMS: Our tribal beadwork and textile items are used tribal pieces from faraway lands.   As used pieces our items will may be frayed, faded or otherwise reflect their prior lives as treasured tribal pieces.   Please know that we strive to maintain the tribal allure of our items and therefore we DO NOT CLEAN or repair these pieces in any way.  This not only maintains the old, tribal look of each piece that our belly dance customers seek, but also preserves the value of a piece that cleaning would destroy.