Turquoise, Coral & Silver Ear Pendants (Akor)
Lhasa, Tibet, 18th-19th century
length: 15.2cm
This matching pair of ear pendants shows signs of significant wear
and age. The pair is set with old cabochon turquoise and old coral
beads. The surrounding silver has a lovely, soft patina.
Pendants such as these were too heavy to be worn from the ears
and so were worn near the ears as if they were earrings. Typically
they were suspended from the wearer's headdress, or hung over
the head.
These examples are typical of the Lhasa style and were worn by
aristocratic wives. The ends are in the form of stylised lotus buds.
References: Ear pendants of similar form are illustrated in Casey
Singer, J., Gold Jewelry from Tibet and Nepal, Thames and
Hudson, 1996, p. 126; and in Clarke, J., Jewellery of Tibet and the
Himalayas, V&A Publications, 2004, p. 73.
Inventory no.: 590
Lhasa, Tibet, 18th-19th century
length: 15.2cm
This matching pair of ear pendants shows signs of significant wear
and age. The pair is set with old cabochon turquoise and old coral
beads. The surrounding silver has a lovely, soft patina.
Pendants such as these were too heavy to be worn from the ears
and so were worn near the ears as if they were earrings. Typically
they were suspended from the wearer's headdress, or hung over
the head.
These examples are typical of the Lhasa style and were worn by
aristocratic wives. The ends are in the form of stylised lotus buds.
References: Ear pendants of similar form are illustrated in Casey
Singer, J., Gold Jewelry from Tibet and Nepal, Thames and
Hudson, 1996, p. 126; and in Clarke, J., Jewellery of Tibet and the
Himalayas, V&A Publications, 2004, p. 73.
Inventory no.: 590
