"Cheikel" handbag for Qur'an. Turkmenistan (Teke tribe), [20th century].
Leather; silver (parcel gilt), engraved; silver thread; carnelian gemstones.
Leather handbag. On front, silver plate with inlaid carnelian gemstones and geometric patterns. Long leather carrying strap, also inlaid with silver ornaments and gemstones.
Handbags of this type were carried by women, and were used for holding books of the Qur'an or surahs excerpted from the Qur'an, alongside personal items.
Handbag: 13.5X11.5 cm. Leather strap: 40 cm.
Reference: The Arts and Crafts of Turkestan, p. 132.