A ruby-set gold 'jasmine buds' necklace (malligai arumbu malai) South...
Property from a distinguished European Collection
A ruby-set gold 'jasmine buds' necklace (malligai arumbu malai)
South India, probably Tamil Nadu, early 20th Century
comprising faceted conical elements each set with a single ruby below an engraved foliate element, alternating with further engraved foliate sections, attached to a flat chain, the engraved openwork clasp in the form of two hamsa birds, with securing pin
58.5 cm. long; 202 g.
Provenance
Acquired in Delhi in 1994.
The distinctive design of the present lot derives from the culture of the Tamil Nadu and Kerala region, where such necklaces would have been worn by the bride during a traditional wedding. A comparable 19th Century example is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, bequested by Cynthia Hazen Polsky in 1991 (Accession No. 1991.32.2). For further examples, see Usha R. Bala Krishnan & Meera Sushil Kumar, Indian Jewellery: Dance of the Peacock, India, 2001, pp. 102-3, Cat. 145 & 146.
Bid on this lot
Property from a distinguished European Collection
A ruby-set gold 'jasmine buds' necklace (malligai arumbu malai)
South India, probably Tamil Nadu, early 20th Century
comprising faceted conical elements each set with a single ruby below an engraved foliate element, alternating with further engraved foliate sections, attached to a flat chain, the engraved openwork clasp in the form of two hamsa birds, with securing pin
58.5 cm. long; 202 g.
Provenance
Acquired in Delhi in 1994.
The distinctive design of the present lot derives from the culture of the Tamil Nadu and Kerala region, where such necklaces would have been worn by the bride during a traditional wedding. A comparable 19th Century example is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, bequested by Cynthia Hazen Polsky in 1991 (Accession No. 1991.32.2). For further examples, see Usha R. Bala Krishnan & Meera Sushil Kumar, Indian Jewellery: Dance of the Peacock, India, 2001, pp. 102-3, Cat. 145 & 146.
