5912

Enquiry about object: 5912

    Your First Name (required)

    Your Last Name (required)

    Your Email (required)

    Your Country (required)

    Your Message

    Flexible Indian Silver Chain Necklace (Kamardani)

    Karnataka, India
    19th century

    length: 50.5cm, weight: 269g

    Sold

    Provenance

    UK art market

    – scroll down to see further images –

    This necklace is of a type of work known as kamardani. 

    It is composed entirely of almost-pure silver and as such is noticeably heavy for its size.

    The style of chain is loop in loop with a hooked closure. The finished chain is drawn through a drawplate to make it smooth, and then with age and wear, the surface becomes even smoother and supple, a process that is aided bu the softness and purity of the silver.

    The effect of the flexible, loop-in-loop chain is that its movement imitates that of a snake, which has associations in Hinduism with fertility and creation.

    Belts or necklaces of similar silver wire work are illustrated in Untracht (1997, p. 242 ) and Leurquin (2004, p. 143).

    Overall, this is a fine, wearable necklace in excellent condition.

    References

    Leurquin, A., A World of Belts: Africa, Asia, Oceania, America from the Ghysels Collection, Skira, 2004.

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

    Dozens of items are added to our website each month. Be among the first to know about them.
     
    Sign up to our monthly catalogue