Enquiry about object: 9923
Five Tibetan Silver & Turquoise Hair Beads
Central Tibet 18th-19th century
length: between 4.6 and 5.6cm, width: between 2.4 and 2.6cm, combined weight: 79g
Provenance
private collection, The Netherlands
These five Tibetan hair beads are notable for their subtle variety and authenticating wear.
Such beads were worn in the hair by upper class women in Lhasa.
The beads are of silver, over a black pitch body, and feature fine silver wirework, pearled wire, and granulation work. Each has at its centre, a large turquoise cabochon. One bead has gilded mounts, and another has three smaller turquoise chips on each side in box settings.
The reverse of each is enclosed with a thin, hammered silver or copper sheet.
Each is in a fine and stable condition and has an excellent patina.
References
Casey Singer, J., Gold Jewelry from Tibet and Nepal, Thames & Hudson, 1996.
Geoffrey-Schneiter, B., Bijoux des Toits du Monde de la Chine au Caucase, Foundation Baur, Musee des Artes D’Extreme-Orient/5 Continents, 2012.
Ghose, M. (ed.), Vanishing Beauty: Asian Jewelry and Ritual Objects from the Barbara and David Kipper Collection, Art Institute of Chicago, 2016.
Seiwert, W.D., Jewellery from the Orient: Treasures from the Bir Collection, Arnoldsche Art Publishers, 2009.
