Enquiry about object: 6683
Gujarat Silver Amulet Pendant (Madalio)
Kutch area, Gujarat, India early 20th century
height: 13.2cm, width: 9.9cm, weight: 107g
Provenance
private European collection
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This silver talismanic pendant is decorated with applied silver filigree, embossed silver plaques, and silver bells.
Two loops on the top allow the pendant to be suspended from a chain around the neck.
The top of the pendant is surmounted by a solid-cast, bud-like finial. Two other such finials adorn the open fields just beneath the top. A further one is attached the central area of the pendant.
The form of this pendant has several interpretations. One is that it is based on a stylised hooded cobra’s head. Another is that it is of arrowhead (chagda) form. And another is that it is based on the revered pipal leaf.
A gold example is illustrated in Seligman & Balakrishnan (2017, p,. 113). A related silver example is illustrated in Untracht (1997, p. 128).
The example here is in fine, wearable condition.
References
Bala Krishnan, U.R., & M.S. Kumar, Dance of the Peacock: Jewellery Traditions of India, India Book House Ltd, 1999.
Seligman, T., & U. R. Balakrishnan, Enduring Splendor: Jewelry of India’s Thar Desert, Fowler Museum at UCLA, 2017.
Untracht, O., Traditional Jewelry of India, Thames & Hudson, 1997.
