Silver Shell Pendant, Ladakh, India
Shell & Chased Silver Pendant
Ladak, India
early 20th century
height: 8cm, width across: 5.7cm, weight: 49g
This unusual pendant comprises a thick clam shell base over which chased, high-grade silver mounts have been added. There is also a tubular silver hoop to allow the pendant to be suspended.
The front of the pendant is decorated with a central silver flower motif. The wide rim is chased with two animals amid Himalayan foliage.
The style of decoration of the silver and the use of clam shell identify this pendant as coming from India’s Himalayan Ladakh region.
A necklace showing similar attributes is illustrated in Untracht (1997, p. 154). Also, see Daalder (2009, p. 303) for shell-based jewellery probably from Ladakh.
The pendant is in a fine and wearable condition.
References
Daalder, T., Ethnic Jewellery and Adornment: Australia, Oceania, Asia, Africa, Ethnic Art Press/Macmillan, 2009.
Untracht, O.,
Traditional Jewelry of India, Thames & Hudson, 1997.
Provenance
private collection, London.
Inventory no.: 4205
SOLD
A related Yemen necklace on display in the Islamic Art Museum Malaysia.
(Photographed February 2017.)