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Welcome to my Shop with a selection of unique pieces devoted to the exhibition and online sales gallery of traditional tribal jewellery of India, specialising in Antique Indian Amulets, Semiotic Symbols of Supernatural Power, Tibetan Gau or Ghau Boxes, Tibetan and Himalayan Ornaments and Ethnic Jewellery.

Unique antique silver items with age are now becoming very difficult to find in India today. The traditions relating to these antique pieces is gradually dying out. With the abundance of gold and silver jewellery produced for marriages and temple use over the centuries, due to the tradition of melting the old for the new, there remains only a small quantity of genuine antique pieces or because old pieces that have been passed down for generations through family members do not leave the family heirloom. Each piece is entirely unique and a rare historical artifact made by village craftsmen with an extraordinary level of care.

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EACH PIECE IN MY SHOP IS SELECTED BASED ON AUTHENTICITY and ARTISTIC VALUE

 Please feel free to email to me if you require any further information about my products and it will be a pleasure to provide you with the information you require:

email:   janmaykin@bigpond.com

My PRODUCTS FOR SALE page gives full details about each item shown

JASMINEIUM ANTIQUE TRIBAL INDIAN & HIMALAYAN JEWELLERY

I also have an ETSY SHOP – Jasmineium Antique Tribal Indian and Himalayan Jewellery – listing Antique Indian Amulets, Antique Indian and Himalayan Jewellery and Ornaments, Tibetan Gau or Ghau Boxes, Islamic, Central Asian Prayer Boxes.

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I SHIP WORLDWIDE

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NEW ARRIVALS

MADHYA PRADESH SILVER EARPLUG EARRING PENDANT NECKLACE
Antique Round Chinese Turquoise Beads,  RARE Sri Lanka Silver Beads, 65 cm (25 1/2″), 105 Grams

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ANTIQUE HIMACHAL PRADESH GAU BOX NECKLACE
Large Silver Enamel Gau Box, Pipal Leaf Dangles, 66cm (26″) Silver Chain, 226 Grams(8oz.)

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VINTAGE MASSIVE INDIAN SILVER BRACELET OR ANKLET
Two Part Hollow, Cast, High Grade Silver, Heavy, Gujarat, Western India, 345.3 Gram

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AANTIQUE TIBETAN OVAL DOMED GAU BOX NECKLACE
Tibetan Heirloom Turquoise, Translucent Tridacna Giant Clam Beads
Eyed Bodhi Seed Beads, Rudraksha Seed Beads,  51cm (20″), 84Grams

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This is a beautifully ornamented with filigree work, silver beaded wire and turquoise cabochons Tibetan Ga’u box and the oval domed front is of lower grade silver (80%) approx. dating from the early to late 19th century.   

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ANTIQUE LADAKH NECKLACE, TURQUOISE, CORAL
High Grade Silver Beads, Three Strands,  52cm (20 1/2″), 80 Grams

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The antique Ladakhi necklace with three strands of very old and well worn coral and hand made silver spacer beads falls from a three holed spacer bead.   At the middle each strand is four traditional Ladakhi lotus bud flowers,  two focal beads and a round silver bead,  and a very old turquoise bead with the smooth surface in the inside of the hole as a true signature of age. 

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MADHYA PRADESH SILVER EARPLUG EARRING PENDANT NECKLACE
Antique Round Chinese Turquoise Beads,  RARE Sri Lanka Silver Beads, 65 cm (25 1/2″), 105 Grams

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This is a beautifully ornamented high grade silver earplug earring (dhar) from Madhya Pradesh from the 19th century.  This earplug earring is now the focal pendant of the necklace.  It has a very fine silver wire circles and floral units added around a central raised lotus bloom with a turquoise cabochon. There is evidence of gilding around the turquoise stone.  This earplug was originally worn as an ear disc and the beads are all antique Indian beads from different parts of India.  There are six RARE Sri Lankan silver beads with very fine granulation designs and on either end of these beads are twelve beautifully detailed silver spacer beads decorated with silver wire and granulation, also from Sri Lanka.  There are 12 very old Chinese round – mostly pale green in color, turquoise beads which display very little matrix. The physical wear characteristics of these turquoises are also indicative of significant age. There is age wear around the stringing cord holes which has worn into stone over time.

Reference from The Dharma Gallery-Asian Religious Works of Art-Madhya Pradesh, Ear Discs, 10th-12th Century.

This stunning carved stone lintel depicts the Hindu god Shiva, seated in the posture of royal ease (lalitasana) in an arched lintel between two banded columns.  In this form, Shiva represents Ishana, the dikpāla(Sk: दिक्पाल; Directional Protector) of the north-east. With a braided chignon of matted locks and peaceful expression, Shiva’s finely incised eyes look benevolently upon the spectator beneath two gently sloping eyebrows.  His plump figure is adorned with ornate princely jewellery including necklaces, ear-disks, armbands and a large beaded waistband.

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VINTAGE BHUTAN or ARUNACHAL PRADESH KOMA BROOCH STYLE NECKLACE
10kt Gilt Lost Wax Cast Brass Pendant, Gilt  Cornerless Cube Beads, Old Trade Beads, 75 Grams (2.6oz)

 

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This is an unusual vintage Bhutan or Arunachal Pradesh gilded, lost wax cast brass pendant in the shape of a Bhutanese Koma Brooch. The design is of the two Bhutanese thunder dragons, called druk in Bhutanese mythology.   This pendant has features from the traditional Bhutanese national emblem. The center features an open bloomed lotus flower (the lotus symbolizes absence of defilements) with an amber faceted glass cabochon, flanked on either side by a male and female dragons. It has a dorje at the base of the pendant (symbolically in Buddhism a dorje represents the ‘thunderbolt of enlightenment’).

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ANTIQUE HIMACHAL PRADESH NECKLACE
Large Silver Enamel Gau Box, Pipal Leaf Dangles, 66cm (26″) Silver chain, 226 Grams (8oz.)

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This is an antique (19th century) large pendant from, Himachal Pradesh, a northern India state in the Himalayas.  The silver hexagonal Gau prayer box is decorated with the traditional blue and green enamels favoured by Kangra enamelists. It still keeps most of the blue and green enamels.  The front two rows of pierced repousse borders are surrounded by decorated floral designs and an open lotus bloom for the center. The Gau prayer box is approximately 2cm (3/4″) deep and is missing the Gau backing plate.

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ANCIENT ETCHED CARNELIAN BEADS NECKLACE
Persia, in the Bactrian region
Light Orange Large Oval Tabular Focal Bead, Two Rectangular Beads, Small Round Beads
Five beads displaying the Longevity decoration
Circa. 250 BC-650 AD. 41 Beads, 47cm (18  1/2″),  45 grams

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This is an exquisite necklace of the ancient world, Circa. 250 BC-650 AD, years old, with an etched central oval tabular carnelian bead, flanked by two high grade silver beads, and two etched rectangular beads, interspersed with smaller round beads, each with an etched geometric pattern in white.  I believe these beads to be possibly from Persia, in the Bactrian region, the ancient name of a historical region, one of the ancient civilizations of Iranian peoples.

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VINTAGE TAMIL NADU, SOUTH INDIA, TODA TRIBE CHOKER NECKLACE
Solid High Grade Silver Cornerless Cube Beads, 193.8 Grams, 43cm (17″)

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This necklace is worn by the Toda tribe of Tamil Nadu, south India. The ring is covered with heavy high grade (sterling) 8mm silver cornerless cube beads and beaded spacer beads. The ring is quite flexible and soft as it is low grade silver content and can be easily re shaped to personal wearing requirements.

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ANTIQUE DHEBARIA RABARI TWIN NAGALI LOBE EARRING PENDANT NECKLACE
Silver, Goldwashed, Black Cotton Gold Thread Cord, Rajasthan, 18.6 Grams

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This is an early to mid 20th century traditional high grade silver, goldwashed, Nagali women’s lobe earring worn by married Dhebaria Rabari women. The Dhebaria Rabari of Pushka are nomadic people who move between Gujarat and the Rajasthan.  This is a beautiful and rare example with a silver band across the front of the earring decorated with stamped florals and two Sun symbols. The elongated basket like opening is filled with wax and has been filled with perfume at some time. The elders of the Dhebaria Rabari forbade all women quite some years ago not to wear these earrings, even if they own them. This style of Nagali earring is extinct now and very expensive if you come across a pair.

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 ANTIQUE VISHNU PENDANT, ENAMEL VAISHNAVA MARK (TILAKA)
Conch Shell, Wheel, Coloured Stones, Goldwashed Silver, 45cm Sterling Snake Chain, 11.1 Grams

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RARE:  This is a very small (width: 2cm (3/4″), traditional silver Vishnu Pendant with Symbols. Viṣhnu is one of the most significant deities in Hinduism. He is the Supreme God Svayam Bhagavan of Vaishnavism (one of the principal denominations of Hinduism). He he is conceived as “the Preserver or the Protector”.  The center has a beautifully enamelled Tilak – Vishnu’s vertical sectarian mark (vadagali), two vertical outer white stripes and a central red one. The tilak (Sanskrit tilaka, “mark”) is a mark worn on the forehead or between the brows and other parts of the body for spiritual reasons.  On either side of the Tilak is the Panchajanya shankha (conch shell ) and the discus weapon (quoit) considered to be the most powerful weapon according to Hindu Religion Sudarshana Chakra.

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LARGE ANTIQUE SILVER GODDESS DURGA, DUO BHERU BHAIRAVA FORM OF SHIVA AMULET
(Or Portable shrine), Rajasthan, 91.7 Gram
Height: 13.2 cm (5 1/4″) including Bale, Width: 11.4cm (4 1/2″)

A COLLECTOR’S ITEM

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This large high grade silver amulet has been hand beaten (marks slightly visible) from a silver sheet to a slight convex, and die-stamped with a large decorative bale and floral unit added. It has an old style chased silver border pattern. The subject of the amulet is “Goddess Durga” whose vehicle is a lion, within the shape of a five-sided, peaked pentagon form, which symbolizes a temple (mandir).  There are two Bheru or Bhairava forms of Shiva in his fearful aspect on each side of Goddess Durga. 

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MUGHAL ERA, c. 1850’s, GANJIFA PLAYING CARD PENDANT
Krishna, Radha & Rukmini or Two Gobis
Lacquered, 55.8 grams, 51 cm (20″)  Sterling Silver Snake Chain

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This is a large antique mid 19th century sterling silver circular Mughal Era Ganjifa playing card pendant. The Ganjifa playing card is from the Krishna legend, Lord Krishna playing his flute and possibly Radha and Rukmini by his side – or two Gobis (milkmaids) and is made of lacquered cloth (a small piece evident of the woven cloth under the rim) and individually hand painted, the card being a unique work of art and was made by artists who followed the traditions of royal court art while incorporating folk art traditions to the designs.

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ANTIQUE INDIAN HIGH GRADE SILVER DANGLE PENDANT,
HIMACHAL PRADESH
Antique Afghani Silver Chain, 51 cm (20″), 102.6 Grams

A COLLECTOR’S ITEM

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This piece is entirely unique and a rare historical artefact made by village craftsmen with an extraordinary level of care.  This is a truly beautiful piece of jewellery making from India of a 19th or early 20th century high grade silver end-of-braid tassel (chhoti or chunti), normally attached to three hanks of black silk or cotton thread, braided into the back-of-head braid, the ornament hanging at its end, from Himachal Pradesh State, Northern India.

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ANTIQUE INDIAN AMULET, FISH FERTILITY PENDANT
Hollow, Repousse, Chased, Gilded, Himachal  Pradesh, 41.7 Grams
61cm (24″) Silver Snake Chain

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This piece is entirely unique and a rare historical artefact made by village craftsmen with an extraordinary level of care. The jewellers of Kangra in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, were famous for their silver jewellery skills. Kangra was the kingdom of Rajput in earlier days.    The fish is a female fertility symbol in India, due to is supposed formal resemblance to the human female reproductive organs, the fish might have assumed that status in the primitive past.

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ANTIQUE INDIAN AMULET,  LORD GANESH, GODDESS PAVARTI BOX PENDANT NECKLACE
46cm (18″) Silver Snake Chain,  Northern  India, 92 Grams
(The Amulet hang slightly off centre in balancing)

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This is a beautifully made c. 1850’s high grade silver box amulet pendant from Rajasthan, northern India, and quite heavy at 92 grams.  The amulet pendant is in the shape of a square, represented by walled-in borders, the form symbolic of a house plan and family unity, around the shape of another square, with the die stamped image of Lord Ganesh and Goddess Pavarti.

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19th CENTURY SRI LANKAN SILVER NECKLACE
Sinhalese High Grade Silver Necklace, 80 Grams, 46cm (18″)

A COLLECTOR’S ITEM

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This is a 19th century, solid silver necklace from Sri Lanka, (formerly Ceylon) and from the old capital city of Kandy in the island’s central highlands.    The central focal crescent shaped section of this Sinhalese necklace is decorated with very fine filigree, silver granulation and platted silver wire.

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ANTIQUE NEPALESE THARU NECKLACE
Antique Cobalt Blue Wound Glass Beads, Mixed Metal Alloy Silver Centre Bead and Melon Beads
 115 Grams, 48cm (18 1/2″)

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 This is a antique handmade Nepalese, (Kakar-manka), mixed metal alloy and antique cobalt blue wound glass beads necklace from the Tharu women in the Dang District of Nepal.   The centre bead is over 100 years old and the necklace on one side has been restrung at some stage – in a different colour cotton thread. I have not polished the necklace, but the mixed metal alloy melon beads (8) and centre bead will polish up beautifully. 

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ANTIQUE RAJASTHANI SOLID SILVER RIGID TORQUE, HANSULI, CHOKER NECKLACE
Fine Indian Silver Snake Chain Back Units, 100 Grams, Extends to: 49 cm (19 1/2″)

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This is a late 19th to early 20th century, solid silver rigid torque (hansuli) necklace from Rajasthan, northern India. The name of this uniquely Indian form is derived from the collar bone (hansuli) on which such ornaments rest.  The necklace silver central sheet has been hand beaten into a crescent shape and contoured with a separate silver beaded border added all around.   Inner circumference including extension chain: 49cm (19 1/2″).

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VINTAGE INDIAN SOLID SILVER TORQUE, HANSULI, CHOKER NECK RING
Rajasthani, High Grade Silver, Flexible Opening, 74 Grams
46cm (18″), Comfortable for Wearing

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This is a vintage, solid, one piece high grade silver torque (hansuli), choker with geometrical chasing and dot punch stamping design on all four sides and a hook fastening at the back, from Rajasthan, Northern India.  The ring is flexible at the opening to allow for placing around the neck.  It is quite light weight at 74 grams and comfortable for wearing. It has a lovely soft worn patina.

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VINTAGE INDONESIAN DIAMOND WHEAT LINK WOVEN CHAIN NECKLACE, BRACELET SET
13mm, Genuine, Heavy, Solid High Grade Silver, 135 Grams (4.740oz.), 48cm (18 3/4″)

 

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This set is vintage, dating from early to mid 20th century, genuine, solid, high grade silver, diamond wheat link flexible woven three chain necklace and bracelet, from Indonesia. This is the older type of handmade chains, not the newer light weight machine made chains.  The making of the chains has been beautifully executed. The three strands have been woven tightly and through wear over the years it has become smooth and supple.

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VINTAGE INDONESIAN SILVER MESH CHAIN NECKLACE
7mm, Genuine, Heavy, Solid High Grade Silver, 66 Grams (2.325 oz.), 49.5cm (19 1/2″)

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This is a vintage, dating from early to mid 20th century, genuine, solid, high grade silver, mesh knitted wire flexible chain necklace, from Indonesia. This is the older type of handmade chain, not the newer machine made chains that are readily available these days.   Through wear over the years it has become smooth and supple.  The making of the chain has been beautifully executed. The sterling silver end caps have a strong ‘S’ clasp for closing. The clasp has been marked with 925 – sterling.  The necklace is quite heavy in the hand at 66 grams (2.325oz.) and measuring 49.5cm (19 1/2″).

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ANTIQUE SHIVA LINGAM CONTAINERS,
Portable Shrine Caskets

Blurton 1992:
The Lingayats, a reformist Shaiva sect (also known as the Virashaivas), are thought to have been founded by the 12th century social reformer Basavanna. He rejected all the strictures of caste and ritual, emphasizing instead an egalitarian society based on devotion to Shiva. His ideas are propounded in ‘vacanas’ or short verses written, not in Sanskrit, but in the local vernacular, Kannada. The Lingayats acknowledge no human icon of Shiva, but instead always carry with them a small linga in an amulet box which is hung around the neck.

Reference:  Ayigalu Pendant, south India, C. 1850. A portable shrine, the carved rock crystal case encrusted with rubies and emeralds houses a Shiva lingam.  A rock crystal bull (Nandi sits on top of the hinged lid.  Dance of the Peacock, Jewellery Traditions of India,  Page 197

 

 ANTIQUE SHIVA LINGAM CASKETS, WITH LINGAM STONES
Fine Very Long (Waist Length)  Silver Snake Chain (121 cm or 47 1/2″), Karnataka, South India,  65 Grams
Hand beaten – embellished with forms of Tilak, the forehead mark in Hindu religious sects on the Vertical Flanking Forms

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This is a very fine Ovoid high grade Silver Lingam Casket (ayigalu or shivadhara) in the “flattened round pot” shape worn by Lingayat laypeople. Lingayats are easily distinguished from other Hindus because in most cases the lingam casket is visible on the body.  The flat bottom section is embellished with a chased design. The central sphere of the box is flanked by two projecting rectangular sides- these also are embellished with forms of Tilak, the forehead mark in Hindu religious sects.  There is a small jangama lingam stone in the Lingam Casket.

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 ANTIQUE SILVER SHIVA LINGAM CASKET, WITH LINGAM STONE
Fine Silver Snake Chain (72 cm or 28 1/2″), Karnataka, South India,  85.8 Grams
Hand beaten – With possibly South Indian Kannada Script on Inside Vertical Flanking Forms

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This is a very fine, at 85.8 grams Ovoid high grade Silver Lingam Casket (ayigalu or shivadhara) in the “round pot” shape. This is the most comon type worn by Lingayat laypeople. The bottom section is embellished with a round ball finial. The central sphere of the box is flanked by two projecting rectangular sides with conical lower sections- these also are embellished with round ball finals as well.  Lingam caskets carry a jangama lingam stone.  

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ANTIQUE TIBETAN BELT BUCKLE CLASP FOR APRON
as  PENDANT NECKLACE, 69 Grams
High Grade Silver, Turquoise, 56cm (22″), 3mm,  Indian Silver Snake Chain, 19.4 Grams

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This is a late 19th century or early 20th century large silver traditional decorative Tibetan Woman’s belt buckle clasp for aprons.  Women wear dark-coloured wrap dresses over a blouse, and a colourfully striped, woven wool apron, called pangden and signals that she is married.  They are a multi-coloured, striped apron and are usually three panels and the colours can range from shades of one color to a full-on rainbow.  This buckle is resembling the front of a Tibetan woman’s Gau, backed by two hooks that are fixed into the woollen apron.

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ANTIQUE TIBETAN OBLONG GAU, c. Mid 1800’s
“Tree of Life” with Axis Mundi
High Grade Silver Box, Copper Back, FiLgree, Gilt, Genuine Coral Cabochon, 137 Grams 

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This Tibetan high grade silver oblong ga’u amulet box ornamented with gilt filigree work and a genuine coral was worn suspended from the top gadrooned tube.  The lower decoration is a stylised dorje ornament which hangs at the bottom when worn and a loop at the bottom from which hung suspended ornaments or decorative chains that hooked up to shoulder level.  The central field is covered in separately embossed or stamped gilded filigree sprig leaves, flower and petal elements, surrounding a stylized “Tree of Life with the Axis Mundi” and central coral.  The central field has been applied separately on top of the silver sheet and held in place by two beautifully tailored pins.

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ANTIQUE TIBETAN GAU BOX, or ANTIQUE LADAKHI GAU BOX
High Grade Silver, Turquoise, Coral, 175 Grams

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This is a truly beautiful, rare, well preserved c. 1850’s type in octagonal form ga’u worn by Tibetan women, and also used extensively in the Himalayan districts and Ladakh in the traditional Perak headdress.   The central motif is a stylized lotus bud infilled with a turquoise cabochon and surrounded by applied filigree wire of geometrical patterns.

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ANTIQUE TIBETAN GAU, c. Mid 1800’s
 Silver Box, Copper Back, Turquoise Cabachon, Brass Back, 67.2 Grams 

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TIBET, c. 1850’s, Oval Gau, Ghau Reliquary Amulet Box with a genuine Turquoise cabochon inset around a decorated brass bezel. The front has high relief repousse work and is now worn smooth in some parts.  The lower decoration is a stylised dorje ornament.  The domed front has tested for approx. 80% silver and the back section is made of brass.

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TIBETAN GAU, with CENTRAL SHERPA CORAL MEDALLION,  HIGH GRADE  SILVER
68cm (27″) c. Mid 1800’s Coral Beads Necklace, 14k Gold Clasp, 56.5 Grams

This is a Tibetan or Nepalese high grade silver ga’u amulet box ornamented with a high  repousse floral central medallion and a Sherpa coral in a bezel setting.    The Gau box has been suspended on an antique, c. mid 1800’s natural salmon small coral beads necklace, quite long at 68cm (27″ ) and fastened with a 14 carat gold (tests) barrel snap fastener (weight: 1 gram).  The coral beads necklace weighs 20.3 Grams. The beads are not uniform in size but are basically 2mm to 4mm each – 210 beads in total.

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TIBET,  MID 19th CENTURY, WOMAN’S  OVAL GAU, GHAU RELIQUARY  AMULET BOX
(With an applied chased gilded stylized Vajra or Dorje (thunderbolt) centre piece added,
a genuine coral cabochon inset around a decorated brass bezel)

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This is a beautiful small c.1850’s Tibetan Gau Amulet Box and the oval domed front is of high grade silver, 92.5% approx.  The back section is made of copper.  The front has beautiful high relief repousse work on all side and an applied chased gilded over brass centre Vajra or Dorje piece added with a genuine coral cabochon inset around a decorated brass bezel.  The lower decoration is a stylised dorje ornament which hangs at the bottom when worn and a ring clip for attaching other ornaments.

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AN ISLAMIC, PERSIAN, THREE PART, SILVER TALISMAN  HOLDER
And Two Miniature Qur’an Boxes, High Grade Silver
Iran,  98 Grams

A COLLECTOR’S ITEM

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This is a 19th century, high grade silver, repousse, octagonal talisman miniature Qur’an case which would have stored a miniature Qur’an or select verses of the revelation considered to hold special protective powers from Iran. The Quran or the Talismanic manuscript small enough and in octagonal shape is now missing. A latch at the bottom opens the hinged box.   The talismanic nature of these objects is confirmed by the verses used in the inscriptions decorating them.   The lid and sides have very fine extremely intricate, dense bands of Persian, Nastaliq script. The roundel is etched with Qur’anic invocations in Nastaliq calligraphy and also on the eight sides.   It has two hollow tubular scroll containers attached, by the cotton cords, not hinged, also with rows of Persian script. Both tubes open freely.   

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AN ISLAMIC, CENTRAL ASIA SILVER QU’RAN HOLDER, TALISMAN , KORAN CONTAINER
High Grade Silver, Antique Afghani Silver Chain, 53cm (21″),  58.4 Grams
Afghanistan, Pashtun

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This is an antique, (over 100 years old) high grade silver octagonal talisman miniature Qur’an case which would have contained inscriptions of verses from the Qur’an from central Asia, Iran or Afghanistan. The lid is engraved with a geometric design.  The central rosette motif is engraved of the highly classical Islamic pattern eight fold star pattern (although rather basic in design).  It has an attachment loop on the top for a chain to allow the amulet to be worn as a necklace. The Qu’ran case has a 53cm (21″) antique Afghani high grade silver traditional chain attached with a S clasp for closing.

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ANTIQUE ISLAMIC, CENTRAL ASIA PRAYER BOXES, TALISMAN
High Grade Silver, Large Hollow Qur’an Scroll Containers, Afghanistan, Pashtun,
Both Open Freely to Insert a Protective Prayer

 ANTIQUE ISLAMIC, CENTRAL ASIA PRAYER BOX NO. 1

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 ANTIQUE ISLAMIC, CENTRAL ASIA PRAYER BOX NO. 2

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ANTIQUE ISLAMIC, CENTRAL ASIA PRAYER BOX NO. 3

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These are early 20th century, high grade silver hollow cylindrical tube talisman, amulet prayer box containers, from central Asia, and similar to styles and design from Afghanistan or Pashtun.  They have three sturdy suspension rings for a chain to allow the amulets to be worn as a necklace. There are two decorated end caps – one of which opens to insert a protective prayer and also has the third suspension ring on the cap.  The prayer boxes have been made from a single high grade silver sheet with stamped repousse traditional geometric designs and stylized floral decorations. 

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19 TH CENTURY SILVER INDIAN CACHE-SEXE PLATE
Tree of Life, Child’s Modesty Plate, Andhra Pradesh, India
16″ High Grade Silver Antique Indian Square Chain, Total 43 Grams

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The photo is from “Traditional Jewelry of India” – Oppi Untracht – Page 90.

Telegu girl wearing a silver cache-sexe plate, modesty plate, in the shape of a yoni or leaf of the sacred fit tree. In Tamil Nadu this ornament is called mudi-thagadu, meaning “to cover metal plate” or aramudi. Besides serving modesty, this amulet guards the body orifice that otherwise would be exposed to the entry of evil spirits and is frequently worn with two flanking cylindrical amulet cases containing mantras, which fortify it power. The yoni shape ornament bears the design of the tree of life, a symbol of fertility.

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19th CENTURY SILVER INDIAN FOLK GODDESS SANJHI DEVI AMULET
Genuine Gold Tikka, Sterling Silver 50cm (20″) Snake Chain,  Utta Pradesh,  63.7 Grams (2.245 oz)

A COLLECTOR’S ITEM

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19th CENTURY INDIAN AMULET,  HINDU FOLK STYLE GODDESS SAJHI DEVI 
Rajasthan, Northern India, 30 Grams

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 A typical 19th century decorated silver amulet from Rajasthan, northern India has a chased  folk style image of Goddess Sanjhi-Devi, (called Hoi in Harayana). Sanjhi-Devi is one of the many mother Goddess forms worshiped throughout India. Village women make clay images of Sanjhi-Devi on house walls for the worship of Devi, the supreme Hindu goddess, during the Sanjhi-Devi Puja in September and October.

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19th CENTURY INDIAN AMULET,  GANESH AND PAVARTI PENDANT
The  shape of a Yoni – the Origin of Life, or the Pipal Leaf of the Sacred Fig Tree 
Rajasthan, Northern India, 21 Grams

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RARE – An excellent large mid to late 19th century high grade silver amulet pendant worn by the tribal people of Rajasthan in northern India. The amulet pendant is in the shape of a yoni or leaf of the sacred fig tree – the bottom pointing ovule.    The subject of the amulet is the Hindu Gods Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of Wisdom, the four armed form with Axe, Rope, Blessings and Madaka (Rewards), and his mother Goddess Parvati the consort of Shiva, with a trident, sword in her hand, disc spinning on her index finger and thunderbolt – sitting under a honorific umbrella and on their thrones.

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ANTIQUE SWAT VALLEY CUFF BRACELET, PAKISTAN
High Grade Silver 92.5% Plus, Pashtun Woman’s Hinged Cuff Bracelet, 150.4 Grams

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VINTAGE MASSIVE INDIAN SILVER GUJARATI BRACELET OR ANKLET
Two Part Hollow, Cast, High Grade Silver, Heavy, Gujarat, Western India, 345.3 Gram

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This type of massive old silver ornament is disappearing in India today and are very rare and hard to come by:  This elegant and simple bracelet or anklet is heavy at 345.3 grams of high grade silver, and vintage from the 1940’s approx. The round bracelet looks like it came straight out of a modern jeweller’s studio.  The hollow cast bracelet is made in two parts and of high grade silver. It opens when the quarter hinged part screw is removed, allowing the part to separate from the hinge.

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ANTIQUE RAJASTHAN SILVER BAZUBAND, BRACELET, ARMLET
High Grade Silver, Flexible, Original Red Tassles, 99.2 Grams (3.50oz)

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This is an antique, probably from late 19th to early 20th century from similar museum examples, high grade silver bazuband worn normally just above the elbow, from Rajasthan, northern India. This can also be adjusted to wear as an armlet and bracelet and is a nice width at 4.5cm (1 3/4″).  The flexible silver bracelet has the old style of multiple, interlocking, abutted vertical units, each with a top and bottom loop through which a antique cotton fibre cord is threaded and tied to the arm with tassels. The units are of high grade silver (sterling).  It still has the original elaborate burgundy-red cord tassels worked with gold thread and four decorated balls on the ends, which is very rare to find today, as most have been replaced.

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ANTIQUE  INDIAN ARMLET or BRACELET
Semi Rigid, Low Grade Silver, 50-80%,”Vauk” Style, Madhya Pradesh, 274.6 Grams(9.685 oz.)

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RARE: Beautifully preserved, early 20th century, Indore, Madhya Pradesh.  This is a magnificent low grade silver (50-80%) armlet (called Vauk), traditionally worn by Maharatta and Gujarati women of the Raval community.  The semi flexible body of a broad, beautifully braided silver wire band, and hand drawn by a master craftsman, has a central focal ornament, a beautifully etched domed stylized open lotus flower, behind which is the concealed closing device.  The bracelet opens slightly by a sliding pin and is semi flexible to stretch open a little. It is large enough to slip over the hand. It is quite heavy and very loose to wear.

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ANTIQUE INDIAN BRACELET, TAMIL NADU, SOUTH INDIA
High Grade Silver Cuff Linked Bracelet, 125.3 Grams

A COLLECTOR’S ITEM

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This is a beautiful heavy gauge, high grade solid silver bracelet from Tamil Nadu, South India. This example is particularly beautiful with the attention to detail that has been paid in its construction.

It is a five-part, hinged bracelet with the repousse worked panels decorated in typically south Indian leaf scroll patterns and foliate patterns. The central square panel has a stepped pyramid unit, suggests a Hindu temple tower (“sikhar” a Sanskrit word translating literally to “mountain peak”, refers to the rising tower in the Hindu temple architecture ), topped by a raised silver diamond.

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ANTIQUE INDIAN SILVER CUFF BRACELET
Repousse, Hollow, High Grade Silver, Madhya Pradesh, 68.3 Grams (2.410oz)

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This an exceptionally detailed repousse hollow silver bracelet with terminals, from Madhya Pradesh or Rajasthan. There was a similar example sold at Christies in 2012. It is shaped to fit the wrist not being round and is very comfortable to wear.  The bracelet with the opening allows for it to slip over the hand – although a very tight fit. The structure of the bracelet is too strong and does not allow for it to be twisted on.  The bracelet is decorated with Three rows of repousse work, silver beading and floral units.  The bracelet will suit a medium size wrist.

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ANTIQUE INDIAN  SILVER CUFF BRACELET
High Grade Silver (approx. 98%), Height of the bracelet: 7.5 cm (2 7/8″), 99.5 Grams (3.510 oz)

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RARE: Heavy solid silver, 99.5 Grams (3.510 oz.). Very fine quality workmanship. This is a old well worn, high grade silver bracelet. The long cuff bracelet has a traditional decorative design of very finely platted silver wire bands applied to the surface of a silver sheet and a separate rim added all the way around to border the cuff. It has a lovely soft silver patina that high silver content (approx. 98%) jewellery achieves after decades of wear, and is slightly flexible because of the high silver content. The cuff bracelet has been shaped to fit at the wrist and is oval in shape. The wrist diameter is 6.4cm (2 1/2″) widening to 7cm (2 3/4″) at the top of the cuff.

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ANTIQUE INDIAN NAGMURI UNDULATING SERPENTINE BRACELET
Rigid Solid  High Grade Silver Double Wire Armlet, Madhya Pradesh, 156.9 Grams (5.535 oz.)

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This is an early 20th century, high grade solid silver bracelet traditionally worn by the women of Raipur, Madhya Pradesh, central India, and also in Orissa.   The bracelet or armlet (nagmuri) has been made from double silver wire with an undulating, serpentine motif. It has a lovely soft silver patina that high silver content jewellery achieves after decades of wear.  The nagmuri bracelet does not open but is large enough to slip over the hand.

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ANTIQUE INDIAN KADLA BRACELET, HIGH GRADE SILVER
Gujarat or Rajasthan, Northern India, 120.3 Grams (4.245 oz.)

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This is  heavy at 120 Grams of high grade silver, vintage 1940’s approx. Indian Kadla bracelet looks like it came straight out of a modern jeweller’s studio.  The large, hollow cast, made in two parts, high grade silver bracelet opens when the quarter hinged part screw is removed, allowing the part to separate from the front hinge. This is quite an easy operation. The Kadla or Kadiya bracelet is made of a heavy round cast silver sections, tapering to one end with the hand beaten flared rectangle terminals at the front.

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ANTIQUE TAMIL NADU ARMLET, BRACELET, UPPER ARMLET, “VANKI” 
Rigid Twisted Wire, Solid High Grade Silver, 87.5 Grams (3.090 oz.)

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This is an early 20th century, high grade solid silver, rigid, twisted and wrapped wire, upper armlet “Vanki”, arm ornament from Tamil Nadu, South India. The Vanki of South India is unique because of its inverted-V-shaped design.

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ANTIQUE TAMIL NADU, SOUTH INDIA, BRACELET, ARMLET or ANKLET
Rigid, Circles, Twisted Wire,  7 cm (2 3/4″), Solid High Grade Silver, 130.4 Grams (4.60 oz)

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This is an early 20th century, high grade solid silver, rigid, armlet or bracelet from Tamil Nadu, South India, with a traditional stylized diamond shape geometric central piece with five “Sun” symbols.  It has a lovely soft silver patina that high silver content jewellery achieves after decades of wear.  The bracelet has a small opening and is flexible enough to also place on the ankle. I have tried the anklet on but find that it is most suited to a smaller ankle because it is rigid and not flexible.

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ANTIQUE INDIAN EARRINGS, DHEBARIA RABARI TWIN NAGALI EARRINGS
Rajasthan, 18.6 Grams

A COLLECTOR’S ITEM

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This is a pair of early to mid 20th century traditional tribal high grade silver earrings, Twin Nagali, women’s lobe earrings worn by married Dhebaria Rabari women. The Rabari of Pushka are nomadic people who move between Gujarat and the Rajasthan.   These drop earrings are quite matched in design with the silver band across the front of the earrings, and sets of delicate bells and floral units. They have western size wires for the ear.  There is heavy silver tarnish because of age and will polish up beautifully.

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VINTAGE INDIAN JHUMKA EARRINGS
High Grade Silver, Rajasthan, 25.7 Grams

There are two pairs of early to mid 20th century traditional high grade silver Jhumka (referring to the bell shape) dangle earrings from Rajasthan, northern India. They are long hanging earrings from the earlobe.  This shape is often found in traditional Indian jewellery. The earrings are quite detailed with the ridged design at the top and rows of silver dangling bells around the base and inside.  They have a total weight of 35.7 grams and 33.6 grams per pair.  The earrings have a charming tinkle with these small bells (ghrungrus) commonly attached to many Indian ornaments.

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19TH CENTURY SILVER INDIAN  AMULET PENDANTS
The round form (mandala), or circular forms repel evil spirits who dare not enter them.
Rajasthan, Northern India

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 ANTIQUE GODDESS KALI AMULET PENDANT
Rajasthan, Northern India

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The subject of these amulet is Goddess Kali, the symbolic destroyer of evil, is worshipped by her followers to remove negative tendencies which hinder spiritual progress and material prosperity.  The image of Goddess Kali has four arms.  She holds in her hands attributes associated with Shiva: a sword, a trident, a skull, and a drum.  She has a belt of skulls around her waist and the dog, her vehicle, at her feet. Goddess Kali has her tongue outstretched.  The outstretched tongue of Kali distinguishes her from all other gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon.

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VINTAGE INDIAN PENDANT, formally a RAJASTHANI FOREHEAD ORNAMENT
High Grade Silver and Wax Element, Antique Indian Silver Terminal Beads, 44 Grams 

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This is an antique silver forehead ornament centre piece and two high grade silver antique terminal beads from Rajasthan, India.  The terminal beads are beautifully made and of very high quality and are 50mm long, 13mm at the bottom – as detailed in the last listing photo.  The forehead ornament is filled with wax and the ornament is worn by the Bhil tribes. The bottom section of the ornament is decorated with simulated gajre balls made from a stamped silver sheet.  You will see that the simulated gajre ball points have worn smooth and through, but this does not detract from the beauty of the pendant. 

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ANTIQUE HIMACHAL PRADESH SILVER (80%-90%) PENDANT
43cm (18″)Sterling Silver Snake Chain, 46.3 Grams

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ANTIQUE SMALL SILVER TAVIZ AMULET PENDANTS NECKLACE
Kerala, South India, 46cm (18″) Sterling Silver Snake Chain, 20.6 Grams

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ANTIQUE INDIAN SILVER TAVIZ AMULET BOX PENDANT NECKLACE
 Rajasthan, Circa: 1900’s, 46cm (18″) Sterling Silver Snake Chain, 45.1 Grams

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ANTIQUE INDIAN AMULET, SILVER HANUMAN PENDANT
Rajasthan, India, High Grade Silver, 30 Grams

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This is a quite large, late 19th century or early 20th century high grade silver amulet pendant from Rajasthan, northern India of Hanuman, the celebrated celestial monkey chief, and an ardent devotee of Rama, a central character in the Indian epic Ramayana.   Hanuman is depicted within an arrowhead form amulet, flying through the air to bring the healing Himalayan herbs to cure the wounded on the Sri Lanka battlefield, as related in the Ramayana.  He has his club in one hand and holding the herbs in th other. 

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PAIR BHUTAN KOMA BROOCHES, SILVER, TURUQOISE, 10Kt GILT
Buddhist Symbol Knot of Eternity Silver Chain, 137 Grams (4.84oz.)

A COLLECTOR’S ITEM

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RARE: This pair of silver (tested 80% approx.) 10 kt gilt Buddhist Symbols Bhutanese dress or cloak fasteners with inset of 5 small turquoise stones in each, known as koma. The openwork design features superimposed square layered on the diagonal. Contrasting overlay gilt decorated the top – some has now worn off.  On the reverse of each koma is soldered a metal bar tapered to points which bend inwards to form a fastening device.  Also attached on the reverse of each koma is a small ring for the addition of the chain or japtha. The backs of the koma brooches tested as mixed metal alloy.  The chain is made up of cast double Dorje symbol units (a double dorje, or vishvavajra, are two dorjes connected to form crossed dorjes. It stands for the stability or foundation of the physical world).  It has a beautiful silver Knot of Eternity inset with a turquoise stone on each side at the center back of the chain.  There are the eight Glorious Emblems, sacred Buddhist auspicious symbols incorporated in the design pattern at each of the four points in the square.

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ANTIQUE TIBETAN TURQUOISE HAIR BEAD ORNAMENT, NECKLACE
High Grade Silver Tibetan Hair Bead, 51cm (20″) Sterling Silver Snake Chain, 34.6 Gram