Dukach with bow Ioan Georg - decoration, pendant, copy of Saxon thaler of the 17th century.

Dukach is a metal female breast ornament worn on a ribbon or string of necklaces. According to written sources, dukachi were also made of silver and gold, or they could simply be gilded.

The main element of the dukach is a medallion, which, as a rule, was supplemented with additional jewelry elements such as bows, edging, etc.

The medallion contained an image and had a round shape. Coins, religious and even award medals were used as medallions. Such an element as a bow was of great importance in decoration, it was decorated with stones, glass, and beads. Lush, more massive, bright bows were common in Left-Bank Ukraine and in the eastern territories, while in Right-Bank Ukraine, in its western and northern territories, bows were more modest and could be absent altogether.

Ethnographers of the end of the 19th - beginning of 20th century stated in their writings that goldsmiths in their products adhered to ancient traditional forms and designs with extraordinary constancy, even where outside influences were quite possible. F.Vovk assumes that dukachi are a remnant of Byzantine serpents, the wearing of which was characteristic of the time of Ancient Rus (Ukraine). Dukachi were worn by Ukrainian women of all walks of life, regardless of religious denomination and social status.

This gordeous women's jewellery was made of brass by casting, engraving, inserts - amethyst.
Dimensions 50x92 mm, weight about 34 g