Antique Indian Amulet, Goddess Sanjhi-Devi, 50cm (20″) Sterling Snake Chain, Utta Pradesh, 74 Grams

A COLLECTOR'S ITEM:

An exceptional and very rare large, heavy at 63.7 grams amulet from Utta Pradesh.  I believe this amulet is from mid to late 19th century.

This repousse silver amulet pendant is of a folk image of Sanjhi-Devi, Hindu Goddess.

This is a beautiful folk style antique silver amulet pendant from Uttar Pradesh, eastern India 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 Sunjhi-Devi on house walls for the worship of Devi, the supreme Hindu goddess, during the Sanjhi-Devi Puja in September and October. Her image is an inseparable part of ceremonies in which only women participate to make vows and to whom the unmarried girls pray to obtain a good husband, many children and prosperity. Sunjhi images can be found in villages and cities of Rajasthan, Punjab, Harayna and Utta Pradesh.

The amulet has four sturdy decorative bales and a chased square border.  There are ten sets of long dangle bells around the three sides, and a gold tikka above the head.

I have strung the amulet on a 50cm (20") new Indian Sterling Silver snake chain with an 'S' clasp closing. The end cap of the chain has a screw and thread to be opened when placing through a small bale.

Amulet Weight: 63.7 grams. 2.60oz.
Width: 7.5cm (3″)
Height: 7cm (2 ¾”) plus 3cm (1 ¼”) for dangles
High Grade Silver 2mm , 50cm (20") Indian Snake Chain: 10 Grams (0.350oz)
Tested for high grade silver 92.5% approx.