6683

Enquiry about object: 6683

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    Gujarat Silver Amulet Pendant (Madalio)

    Kutch area, Gujarat, India
    early 20th century

    height: 13.2cm, width: 9.9cm, weight: 107g

    Available - Enquire

    Provenance

    private European collection

    – scroll down to see further images –

    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.

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