Heavy, Javanese Lotus-Form Gold Ear Pendant or Cord Weight

This relatively large floral-form pendant dates to the 8th-9th centuries and is from Central Java.

Of solid gold was used to decorate an (elongated) ear lobe, or perhaps more likely given its weight, was used as a terminal for a cord.

It is of unusual form, and few comparables have been published.

Large quantities of gold jewellery and other items have been found in Central and East Java dating from this period. It was a time when Buddhism and Hinduism seem to have peacefully co-existed at the same time. The shape of the item here is based on a lotus bloom. The lotus is an important motif in both Buddhism and Hinduism

The item is heavy in the hand. There are losses and perhaps some crushing as might be expected from an ancient, archaeological item, but the form remains elaborate and very decorative. It is a fine collector’s piece or could be worn as a pendant.