Indian Gold Lakshmi Pendant set with Diamonds, Rubies & Emeralds

This gold pendant decorated with a central standing figure of Lakshmi beneath a protective hooded cobra, is from Tamil Nadu, and possibly from a workshop in the important pilgrimage city of Madurai. It is of 18 carat gold, most probably over a lac core. It is set with five relatively large rose-cut diamonds and nine smaller ones. There are nine large ruby cabochons and six smaller ones, and a pendant fringe of 27 tiny emerald beads.

The gold suspension loop at the top has later British assay marks.

Pendants like these were used as an ornament on a long hair braid on the back of a woman’s head and would have been worn on festive occasions. They also were worn as pendants suspended from a necklace.

Lakshmi is associated with prosperity, good luck, and abundance.

Related examples are illustrated in Aitken (2004, p. 12 & 93).

This example differs from typical examples rather than being simply of gold, it is also set with diamonds, rubies and emeralds.

The pendant is in excellent condition and is very wearable.