Silver Makara Bracelet, Madras, India

Silver Makara Bracelet

outer diameter at widest point: 8.3cm, weight: 49g

This two-part, hinged hollow silver bracelet has been cast with two fierce makara head terminals. Between them, in their gaping mouths, is a magical jewel. The bracelet opens at the top and is held together by means of a top, central screw. The makaras have protruding eyeballs with the bodies of each making up the two halves of the bracelet.

Utracht (1997, p.254) which illustrates a similar example, comments that such bracelets were given by rajas to their subjects as a mark of favour.

Utracht, O., Traditional Jewelry of India, Thames & Hudson, 1997.