Photograph: Jewish family.

Mountain Jews

Baku province, Kuba district, city Quba

1870-1880s

Albumen print

14,8 x 11,7

РЭМ 8855-13

Along the right edge of the photograph is a dark stripe with author’s numbering and text in pre-Revolutionary spelling: “13121. Jewish family. 1197.» “The men’s costume of the Mountain Jews is similar to that of their neighboring Shiite Muslims, Tatars, and Tats. The women’s costume has retained more characteristic features. Interesting are decorations and amulets with prayers, necklaces often made from ancient beads of stone, or paste, or amber. All silver decorations are made for the Jews by the Lezghins, but to a special fashion.” (From A.A. Miller's report on his trip to the Caucasus).