A digital archive showcasing the extensive collection of jewellery and adornment images shared on the former Ethnic Jewels Ning site over the years. These images have significantly enriched discussions on cultural adornment and its global dispersion.
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Comments
This should be titled " Vishnu pendant".
looks as if you already found it !
:-)
S x
This is unfortunately all too typical of the supposedly traditional or old pieces now so often made ion Nepal, India, etc that are very recent and made of inferior materials.
I would like to respectfully point out that although the materials are inferior, the workmanship is still quite beautiful, and that if one looks past the quality of the materials used, one may learn something interesting. My mother-in-law recently gave me a similar piece that she purchased in Katmandu directly from a refugee camp. I began to do some research on it, and found that it had an intriguing story. I suspect this piece has a similar story. I will post it shortly, in hopes that someone may be able to offer us more information.
Hello Edith, I completely agree with you that though the materials may not be silver, gold, etc (I don't wish to call them inferior), the work is quite lovely and well executed. I have a wall plate done all in fine brass filigree with the glass cabochons. If I can find it, I'll post a photo.
Thank you so very much, Edith!
I myself believe that such pieces are a distant echo of the representational jewellery produced in the Katmandhu Valley in the 18th century. Then turquoise, ruby, emerald, amber, coral, hessonite garnet etc. would have been used.
The above pendant is now attached correctly to a large necklace of similar construction. They are often wrongly referred to as shamanic or marriage necklaces. I believe they often date from hippie times, brought back by travellers.
I must admit that I never thought to see this again. I look forward to seeing your own, Edith.
Thanks Frankie...this looks like the same necklace I have!!!
A nice coincidence, Edith! Whilst not plentiful, such necklaces are not rare either. The colour of the beads does differ sometimes though invariably gold washed brass is used. They can command high prices and are sometimes framed as wall decoration.