ANTIQUE INDIAN AMULETS, ETHNIC TRIBAL JEWELLERY, TIBETAN GAU BOXES, HIMALAYAN ORNAMENTS

Green Tara, Bodhisattva of Compassion and Action – Private Collection

Welcome to my SHOP with a selection of unique pieces devoted to the exhibition and online sales gallery of traditional ethnic jewellery specializing in Antique Indian Amulets, Indian and Himalayan Ornaments, Tibetan Gau Boxes, Islamic, Central Asian Prayer Boxes, Antique Sri Lanka Jewellery and other old Ethnic Ornaments.

EACH ITEM IN MY SHOP IS SELECTED BASED ON AUTHENTICITY and ARTISTIC VALUE
My SHOP: indianamulets.com.au – Antique Indian Amulet, Ethnic Jewellery and Himalayan Ornaments gives full details about each item shown

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: jasmineium3@bigpond.com

I also have a shop on ETSY – JASMINEIUM – Antique Indian Amulets, Ethnic Jewellery and Adornments
listing Antique Indian Amulets, Indian and Himalayan Ornaments, Tibetan Gau Boxes, Islamic, Central Asian Prayer Boxes, Antique Sri Lankan Jewellery and other old Ethnic Jewellery.

I SHIP WORLDWIDE

Two Marwari Women, India, c. 1850’s attributed to Taurines

NEW ARRIVALS

ANTIQUE MANGO SHAPE LIME PASTE and BETEL NUT CONTAINER
High Grade Silver, Weight, 27.5 Grams, Northern India – RARE

RARE:  This is a small antique silver mango shaped betel nut and lime box container having three partitioned and two compartments. It closes with a small hook system.  The body has a chased design all over and is of excellent quality for its age with all hinges and closures working.  It was traditionally worn by the silver chain being attached at the waist belt.   Lime Paste or chunam was one of the three indispensable ingredients of Pan. Paan, also spelled pan, also called betel quid, that consists of a betel leaf (Piper betel) filled with chopped betel (areca) nut (Areca catechu) and slaked lime (chuna; calcium hydroxide). The paste was made and had to be kept fresh, ready for the Pan quid. The containers used for it were tiny.

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ANTIQUE TIBETAN KANGLING
Kangling Trumpet, Tibetan Kangling Ritual Flute, Ceremonial Buddhist Tibetan Horn

Tibet, East Asia, circa early 20th century. Genuine Antique Tibetan Kangling Trumpet. Provenance: Personal collection c.1965.
Quote from Wiki:   Kangling (Tibetan: རྐང་གླིང་།, Wylie: rkang-gling), literally translated as “leg” (kang) “flute” (ling), is the Tibetan name for a trumpet or horn made out of a human tibia or femur, used in Tibetan Buddhism for various chöd rituals as well as funerals performed by a chöpa.  This kangling is decorated with brass, faux turquoise and coral set in wax and a bezel inset . The end of the bone flute forms the mouthpiece made out of brass fittings, while the patellar groove has been been hollowed out to form a double bell covered with leather.

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ANTIQUE BRITISH INDIA RUPEE NECKLACE
Rupaya Har Necklace, 48cm (19″) Chain, 107.86 Grams (3.70oz)

A COLLECTOR’S ITEM:

This is a heavy solid silver necklace featuring two large link chains with one central British India Rupee Coin dated 1912.  Northern India, Silver Necklace (rupaya har or hullar) with British-Indian rupee and six floral units with magenta colour glass stones.  The rupee from 1912 within a circle, and flower surrounds, and on the front side is a crowned bust of George V King Emperor (1910-1936). The coin was minted as high grade silver 91.7%. The British-Indian government used precious metal coinage until 1939 and struck under direct authority of the crown. The chain and the parts tested high grade silver also.

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ANTIQUE INDIAN AMULET, UTTA PRADESH, NANDI HORNS PENDANT
High Grade Silver, 60cm (24 in) Adjustable Cord, 57 Grams

RARE: It is becoming hard to find this kind of amulet today.

This is a mid 20th century representation of Nandi’s horns, Shiva’s mount in a Indian folk style chased amulet pendant from the Uttah Pradesh State, in Northern India. Uttar Pradesh is bordered by the state of Uttarakhand and the country of Nepal to the north, the state of Bihar to the east, the states of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh to the southeast, the state of Madhya Pradesh to the south, and the states of Rajasthan and Haryana and the national capital territory of Delhi to the west.  It has three sturdy bales with round units added and five sets of silver wire dangles.  It has an adjustable cord length secured with a sliding bead. The cotton cord is in new condition and has silver thread decoration.

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ANTIQUE INDIAN BRACELET, MAKARA HEADS, GAJRE BALLS
High Grade Silver, 201 Grams

A COLLECTORS ITEM:

This type of large silver ornament is disappearing in India today and are very rare and hard to come by: Quote: from ‘Traditional Jewelry of India’ Oppi Untracht, Page 254. “This is a two part bracelet known as nogri or gajredar bangri with central makara heads. The bracelet is ornamented with bunches of hollow balls (gajre) rigidly fixed to the main body by threading a wire through their integral loops. (I have attached in the last listing photo an example of the complex work that goes into making the gajre ball). This work is called moti ke gajre kam; the effect of bunching is guchchedar. A silver ball bunch is called chandi ke gajre ka guchchha.” The hollow cast bracelet is made in two parts. It opens when the front screw is pulled up, allowing the part to open from the side hinge.

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BRITISH INDIA RUPEE, HALF RUPEE COINS MAN’S NECKLACE
“RUPAYA HAR or HULLAR”
26 Coins, High Grade Silver
89 cm (35″) Chain, 516 Grams (18.20oz)

Traditional Jewelry of India, Oppi Untracht, Page 122

This is a heavy solid silver necklace featuring two large link chains with four sets of various quarter and half rupee coin dangles and a central medallion. A similar necklace is in “Traditional Jewelry of India” Oppi Untracht – Page 122. Detailed: Northern India, Silver Necklace (rupaya har or hullar) with British-Indian rupee and half-rupee coins with the images of Edward V11 and George as Emperors of India. Length 38 inches (97cm), weight 528 grams. *Collection Mis, Brussels. 

Coins in Total: One Rupee x 3, Half Rupee x 15, Quarter Rupee x 7, One Shilling x 1, = Total 26 Coins.

Coins on Dangles:
The image of “Victoria Queen” and “Victoria Empress”, as Empress of India. The coinage changed from ‘Victoria Queen’ to ‘Victoria Empress’ in 1877.
Half Rupees: = 9, 1886 1881,1880, 1862, 1876, 1887, 1886, 1862, 1862
Quarter Rupee: = 7, 1862, 1889, 1888, 1862, 1879, 1888, 1888
One Shilling, Australia: = 1, 1910

Coins on the Medallion:
Half Rupee: = 6, 1884, 1862, 1881, 1862, 1876, 1878

Top Coin in Medallion – One Rupee – Shah Alam II
The centre of the medallion has two rupee coins soldered back to back – the front coin is a Shah Alam 11, and the back coin is the One Rupee coin dated 1874, Calcutta.
Fully Detailed on the Products Page:

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LADAKH NECKLACE, OLD HEIRLOOM LADAKH BEADS
 Himalayan Necklace, 48cm (18″), 185 Grams (6.5oz.)

Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir State, India c. early to mid 1900’s beads, recently restrung necklace in the traditional Ladakhi style with red cotton. The fashion in Ladakh and western Tibet for wearing multiple strands of necklaces traces back to the 14th century.  This is a distinctively Ladakhi, Western Himalayas type of necklace combining three strands of salmon natural coral, turquoise focal stones, silver spacer beads and a fringe of drops of closed champakali (jasmine buds). All the heirloomed coral beads show signs of extensive wear as coral beads are handed down from generation to generation.  The smooth deep sea green turquoise beads could be what is known as ‘Chalk Turquoise’ is not actually chalk; it is a form of low quality natural turquoise or could dyed synthetic Howlite turquoise beads.

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VINTAGE INDIAN AMULET NECKLACE, FLOWERING TREE OF LIFE PENDANT
Old Rajasthani Amulet, High Grade Silver Beads, Amulet 58 Grams (2.0oz)

This is a beautiful large vintage, mid 20th century or later, high grade silver amulet pendant of the flowering ‘Tree of Life’.  The silver die-stamped amulet (madaliya) is depicted within an arrowhead form, with five bales, glass stones and ghungrus (small bells).  The amulet pendant is in the shape of the arrowhead form, and often in India today the ancient arrowhead form is said to represent a pipal tree leaf associated with Hinduism and Buddhism, both of which developed at a much later date that when this form originated. The center red glass stone is in the shape of a stylized leaf.

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ANTIQUE INDIAN AMULET
SOUTH INDIA CACHE-SEXE PLATE, 30.2 Grams

This is a traditionally decorated early to mid 20th century high grade silver amulet plate known as a cache-sexe plate, pubic ornament-amulet, also known as the “Genital shield” for a young girl as a substitute for a loin cloth.  The Araimudi (araimuti) (Tamil: அரைமுடி, araimūḍi ) is a small silver metal plate shaped like a heart or a fig leaf formerly worn by young girls in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Indonesia. “Arai” means loin and “mudi” means cover.  The “Madras district gazetteers, Volume 1, Part 1″ said ‘Little girls, up to the age of about 3, wear nothing but the little heart-shaped piece of silver suspended by a waist-cord (arai- mudi) ” which calls attention to what it purports to conceal.”‘  The photo below from “Traditional Jewelry of India” – Oppi Untracht – Page 90. It has exactly the same design on this South India Cache-Sexe Plate.

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ANTIQUE INDIAN AMULET NECKLACE
South India Cache-Sexe Plate
 Taviz, Cobalt Blue Glass Barrel Beads, 96 Grams, 80cm (32 “)

A Young Telegu Girl Wearing Silver Cache-sexe Plate

Picture From:  Traditional Jewelry of India, Oppi Untracht, Page 90

This is a traditionally decorated early to mid 20th century high grade silver amulet plate known as a cache-sexe plate, pubic ornament-amulet, also known as the “Genital shield” for a young girl as a substitute for a loin cloth. The yoni shape or leaf of the pipal tree amulet has the design of the half moon and flower, symbols of fertility and the life force.  The Araimudi (araimuti) (Tamil: அரைமுடி, araimūḍi ) is a small silver metal plate shaped like a heart or a fig leaf formerly worn by young girls in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Indonesia. “Arai” means loin and “mudi” means cover.   The amulet has been strung with 125 very old cobalt blue glass drum barrel beads. The two taviz would have been originally part of the silver cache-sexe ornament and detailed in the listing photo.

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LARGE: ANTIQUE INDIAN AMULET, GODDESS DURGA
High Grade Silver, 81.3 Grams, Height: 13.2 cm (4 3/4″), Width: 10 cm (4″)

This is a large and heavy at 81.3 grams, antique silver amulet pendant worn chiefly in Rajasthan, India. The amulet pendant is in the round form (mandala). Circular forms repel evil spirits who dare not enter them.  The amulet has been hand beaten (marks slightly visible) from a high grade silver sheet to a slight convex, and die-stamped with a large bale and decorative 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). Durga is also called Divine Mother, protects mankind from evil and misery, by destroying evil forces such as selfishness, jealousy, prejudice, hatred, anger, and ego.  There are five chased swastika symbols (Sanskrit svastika, “all is well”) a cross with four arms of equal length, with the ends of each arm bent at a right angle. These are at each point of the five peaked pentagon temple.

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ANTIQUE INDIAN AMULET, BHAIRAVA FORM OF SHIVA
Extra Large, Height: 13.5 cm (5 1/4′), Width: 10.5 cm (4 “)
Weight: 68.6 Grams (2.420 oz.)

This is an “Extra Large” antique, high grade silver amulet pendant worn by the tribal people of Gujarat or 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, and die-stamped with two sturdy bales with finals and round decorative units added.  It has a silver border added and a decorative terminal point at the bottom.  The subject of the amulet is in the two armed Bheru or Bhairava form of Shiva in his fearful aspect travelling with his dog.  Lord Shiva, especially in his Bhairava form has a drum, trishula or (trident) sword, a daggar. The sun symbol of Surya, is above his right side of the head and the Chandra the moon on the other side.

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ANTIQUE SHIVA LINGAM CONTAINERS
Portable Shrine Caskets

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. Quote from : Blurton 1992.

South India, Portable Shiva Lingam Shrine, c. 1850’s

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

19th CENTURY SHIVA LINGAM CASKET (AYIGULA), CHAUKA FORM
Heavy, High Grade Silver, 241 Grams (8.50 oz.)
Width: 9.5 cm (3 3/4″) Height: 8 cm (3″), Chain Length: 67 cm (26 1/2″)

Lingayat Linga Banajiga with Shiva Lingam Casket

This lingam casket (ayigula) is in the form called chauka, in reference to its rectangular shape whose top cover rises upwards at opposite ends to tapering points meant to suggest a bull’s horns, symbolic of Nandi the bull. Nandi is Shiva’s primary vehicle who serves as the mount of Lord Shiva. It has been made in two parts that are held together when the box is suspended from the chain.

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ANTIQUE SHIVA LINGAM CASKET, (AYIGULA), CHAUKA FORM
Heavy, High Grade Silver, 105 Grams (3.75 oz.)
Width: 7.5 cm (3″), Height: 5.5 cm (2 1/4″), Chain Length: 76 cm (30″)

Lingayat Linga Banajiga with Shiva Lingam Casket

The lingam casket dates from the early c.1900’s and has been very well preserved and used for the purpose for which it was made. It has an excellent patina and with contours softened and worn down by wear and use.

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ANTIQUE SHIVA LINGAM CASKET, (AYIGALU or SHIVADHARA)
Ovoid Form, High Grade Silver, Heavy at 119.1 Grams, 73 cm (29″) Snake Chain

This is a very fine, heavy at 120 grams Ovoid high grade Silver Lingam Casket (ayigalu or shivadhara) in the “round pot” shape. Because of the heavy weight this Lingam Casket hangs beautifully when wearing. This is the most common 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.

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19th CENTURY SOUTH INDIA AMULET, PRAYER BOX, ( KAPPU KUTTU), KERALA
57 cm (21″) High Grade Silver Chain, Width: 8 cm (3 1/4″), Height: 3.5 cm (1 1/4″)
86.8 Gram (3.06 oz.)

1800’s, Devanga Man, Weaver’s Caste, Tamil Nadu, with Amulet Boxes

This is a beautiful antique, from the 19th century, large high grade silver round tubular amulet pendant, prayer box container from Kerala, South India. The tube has bands of very fine chasing which has now worn smooth. The applied top section has eleven decorative bales with round finals. The box unscrews at one end and has a silver cylinder for the insertion of magical protective objects and mantras.

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VINTAGE INDIAN PRAYER BOX, INDIAN TAVIZ (Opens)
Rajasthani Amulet Box, High Grade Silver, Silver Snake Chain, 37 Grams

This is a beautiful traditional high grade silver cylinder amulet box container in the traditional style of Rajasthan, Northern India. It has been very well made with fine detail.  At 37 Grams is is quite heavy for its size and hangs well.  The taviz box container opens at one end for the insertion of magical protective objects and mantras on paper, which are to protect the wearer from all calamities.  It has been made from a high grade silver stamped sheet with three bales. The container has rounded ends with three dangles.  The taviz has been strung on a new 56cm (22 inch) Indian high grade silver snake chain with a S clasp for closing.

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ANTIQUE ISLAMIC, PRAYER BOX SCROLL CONTAINER
Pashtun, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Prayer Box, 34.9 Grams (1.230 oz.)
High Grade Silver Snake Chain, 71 cm (28″), 17 Grams (0.60 oz.)
Prayer Box Length – 10 cm (4″)

Persian Lady wearing Large Quran Scroll Container Necklace

This is an early 20th century, high grade silver hollow cylindrical tube talisman, amulet prayer box container, from central Asia, and similar to styles and design from Afghanistan or Pashtun. It has three sturdy suspension rings for a chain to allow the amulet 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. It has been strung on a 71 cm (28″) antique high grade silver (sterling) Afghani snake chain with a S clasp for closing.

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ANTIQUE SOUTH INDIA SILVER BELT, KERALA
Can be worn as a Chain Necklace
A Solid, High Grade Silver, 72.4 cm  (28 1/2″)  225 Grams (7.94 oz.)

This is a heavy in the hand, solid, high grade silver link handmade chain belt from Kerala, South India. This belt could also be worn as a necklace as detailed in the listing photos, although rather heavy. These type of belts were used in the 19th century by wealthy Kerala fishermen who wore it below the navel over the white dhoti (lower garment) to hold the dhoti up. The belt is of a very high quality and comprises one strand of thick, rectangular links that fit closely together and the ornamented center belt fastener opens to one side with a central screw pin mechanism.

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ANTIQUE INDIA NECKLACE, RAJASTHAN PRAYER BOX, TAVIZ
ANTIQUE SRI LANKA SILVER BEADS
Old Round Purple (Grape) Garnets, 105 cm (27″), 105 Grams (3.70 oz.)

This is a beautifully made most probably early to mid 20th century necklace. It has components from India and Sri Lanka with a high grade silver prayer box amulet from Gujarat or Rajasthan and antique Sri Lanka silver beads and garnets. The center amulet taviz is in the round tube shape with six decorative bales. The amulet container is sealed and hollow with no wax element and quite heavy at approx. 30 grams approx. The granulation and decorative patterns on the front is very fine and of an exceptionally high standard. The taviz prayer box necklace has six antique Sri Lanka silver beads in between very old round purple (grape) garnets – the drilling holes have worn edges. I have identified the Sri Lanka beads as being from the southern part of Sri Lanka and are beautifully executed with the twisted open wire and granulation.

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A COLLECTOR’S ITEM – RARE
Early 1800.s – Just Beautiful

ANTIQUE SRI LANKA SILVER LAC BEADS NECKLACE
Sinhalese Silver Necklace, Antique Ceylonese Necklace, 57 cm (22″), 147 Grams

SOLD

This is an early 19th century, silver lac beads necklace made with a thin outer silver layer over an inner wax substance from Sri Lanka, (formerly Ceylon) and from the old capital city of Kandy in the island’s central highlands. There are twenty five large cube and fluted melon beads graded in size and thirty silver spacer beads (also filled with lac). Some have the old method of dove tailing in the joins. The necklace has been strung on a fine but sturdy silver twisted wire and has a “S” hook clasp for closing.

SOLD

ANTIQUE SRI LANKA NECKLACE, KILLOTAYA, LIME BOX (BETEL NUT) PENDANT
1800’s, Heirloom Harar Tribe Ethiopian Large Silver Lac Beads
230 Grams (8.11 oz), 57 cm (22 1/2″)

Sri Lanka Museum – Display Betel Nut –  Lime Boxes

The above elaborately decorative chunam or the lime box (killotaya) from the 1800’s, is a small version of the high grade silver round flattened box with and attached chain and spatula called in Sri Lanka a Killotaya, and from the old capital city of Kandy in the island’s central highlands. The large heirloom beads are known as Muria beads and are from a wedding necklace typically worn by the Harar people of Ethiopia. These heirloom beads are very old and date from the late 1800’s. The spacer bicone beads are also from Ethiopia.

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ANTIQUE SRI LANKA SILVER BEADS NECKLACE or BELT
Interlocking Cage Beads, Round Fluted Beads
Length: 79 cm (31″), Weight: 85 Grams

This is a 19th or early 20th century, solid high grade silver man’s belt from Sri Lanka, (formerly Ceylon). This can also be worn as a necklace. The fluted round beads are followed by interlocking cage beads, ending with large decorative heavy central closure bead (as detailed in listing photo No. 7). The beads are strung on a 4 mm high grade silver fine herringbone plaited cord. The belt unlocks at the center bead with a screw through the bead. This makes it almost invisible. The screw is very secure and turns anti clockwise to unscrew.

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ANTIQUE SRI LANKA or SOUTH INDIAN AMULET BOX NECKLACE, TAVIZ
Silver Fluted Bicone Beads
51 cm (20″) High Grade Silver Snake Chain, 75 Gram (2.465 oz.)

This is a necklace circa 19th century – very rare – with five silver taviz prayer box pendants and six high grade silver hollow fluted bicone beads alternatively strung on a fine high grade silver Snake Chain with a S hook for closing. The granulation work and filigree is of an exceptionally high standard and each taviz being decorated differently on all sides. The necklace hangs very well as it is quite heavy at 75 Grams.

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ANTIQUE INDIAN NECKLACE, ANTIQUE RAJASTHAN BOX PENDANT
High Grade Silver, 50.8 Grams (1.790 oz.)
Adjustable Cord Length: 91 cm (36″)

This is a beautifully made most probably early 20th century high grade silver amulet box pendant. The pendant is from Rajasthan, northern India. The amulet pendant is in the shape of an arrowhead form, plain with no front decoration and two decorative bales. The three dimensional amulet pendant is sealed and contains a wax element. It has eleven sets of gajre dangle balls (plus one long bunch of gajre balls hanging at the center).

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ANTIQUE  INDIAN NECKLACE, CHOKER or EXTENDED, HIMACHAL PRADESH 
High Grade Silver, 71 Grams
The black cotton cord lengths are 41 cm (16″) each side and the silver spacer beads section is 9 cm (7 1/2″)
The total length of the adjustable necklace is 101 cm (40″)

This is an antique high grade silver choker or adjustable length necklace with 54 spacer beads from Himachal Pradesh, northern India and is quite heavy at 71 Grams (2.50 oz.). This necklace from the 1920’s was used to attach rupees along the bottom of the spacer beads and worn as a wealth necklace. The rupee coins could easily be removed when the wearer needed extra cash. Each spacer bead has been intricately cast by a Himachal silversmith.

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ANTIQUE SOUTH INDIA TAVIZ, PRAYER BOX NECKLACE, KERALA
Six High Grade Silver Prayer Box Amulets, Antique Glass Beads, Silver Cornerless Cube Beads
64 Grams, 51cm (20″)

Early 20th century, high grade silver rectangular hexagonal amulet pendant containers from Kerala State, South India.  The six silver containers are strung on a silver snake chain with a seven cornerless cube beads and bone colour glass beads. The old glass beads are very uniform and well made.

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ANTIQUE TIBETAN GAU BOX, NECKLACE, with RELICS
TIBETAN GLASS dZi BEADS, 19TH CENTURY
Sherpa Coral Glass Coral Rondelles, Heirloom Tibetan Turquoise, Mother of Pearl Beads

Antique Tibetan Gau Box with Handwritten Prayer and Printed Mantra

This is a beautifully preserved and intact classic Lhasa style low grade silver g’au box. The turquoises chips are all original – with no loss – and have not yet lost their luminousity. I found enclosed a printed mantra and a hand written prayer from the previous owner. The Gau Box is strung with an array of beads measuring 51 cm (21″) long. These beads are part of a complete Tibetan style costume and is typical of many in its combination of real and imitation beads.

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

This is a beautifully ornamented with filigree work, silver beaded wire and turquoise cabochons Tibetan Gau box and the oval domed front is of lower grade silver (80%) approx. dating from early to late 19th century. The front of the Ga’u is decorated with 17 turquoise cabochon inset in wax around a decorated silver bezels. (There are four turquoise stones missing). It is strung with a stunning necklace of antique Tibetan beads measuring 51 cm (20″) long.

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

A COLLECTOR’S ITEM

Musu Kamma – The name of a special ear ornament worn by the Musu Kamma sub-division of Balijas Caste, South India.

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 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.

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

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″)

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, HASULI, CHOKER NECK RING
Rajasthani, High Grade Silver, Flexible Opening, 74 Grams
46cm (18″), Comfortable for Wearing

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.

Visit SHOP – PRICE: USD $595.00

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

This is an early to mid 20th century traditional high grade silver, gold washed, 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 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 are extinct now and very expensive if you come across a pair.

Visit SHOP – PRICE: USD $395.00

ANTIQUE INDIAN AMULET, HIMACHAL PRADESH, SILVER (50%-80%) PENDANT
46 cm (18″) High Grade Silver Turkmen Chain: 46.3 Grams

A COLLECTORS ITEM

It is not very often that you come across pendants like this – early to mid 20th century old silver (50-80%) pendant worn by the women in the Himachal Pradesh State in northern India.  The jewelers of Kangra, Chamba, Mandi and Kullu were famous for their silver jewellery skills. Kangra was the kingdom of Rajput in earlier days. They mainly worked with silver. The pendant is still in very good condition.  The arrowhead form pendant has a double bale and can be strung on a single or a double strand. There is a row of decorative bells around the bottom of the pendant and a stylized “Tree of Life” in the center.

Visit SHOP – PRICE: $195.00

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

RARE: This is a very small (width: 2 cm (3/4″), traditional silver Vishnu pendant with symbols. Vishnu 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). The center has a beautifully enamelled Tilak – Vishnu’s vertical sectarian mark (vadagali), two vertical outer white stripes and a central red one.  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.

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  $135.00

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

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 necklace is quite heavy in the hand at 66 grams (2.325oz.).

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $495.00

VINTAGE INDONESIAN DIAMOND WHEAT LINK CHAIN
Woven Chain Width: 13 mm (5/8″)
Chain Weight: 92 Grams (3.255 oz.), Chain Necklace Length: 48 cm (18 3/4″)

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

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $595.00

VINTAGE INDONESIAN SILVER MESH CHAIN
5 mm, Genuine, Solid High Grade Silver, 35 Grams (1.240 oz.), 48 cm (19″)

This is a vintage, dating to mid 20th century, genuine, solid, high grade silver, mesh knitted wire flexible chain necklace, from Indonesia.  Through wear over the years it has become smooth and supple and has natural silver tarnishing but will polish up beautifully.  The making of the chain has been beautifully executed. It has a silver lobster claw for closing. The clasp has been marked with 925 – sterling.

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $225.00

ANTIQUE INDIAN AMULET, DUO LORD SHIVA
High Grade Silver, Heavy, 53.4 Grams

This is a large,19th century high grade silver amulet pendant of duo Lord Shiva, worn widely in India. The amulet pendant is in the shape of a five-sided, peaked pentagon form, which symbolizes a temple (mandir), and has the two die-stamped Shiva forms added separately to the backing plate. It has a decorative bale, and a heavy floral design silver border added.

The subject of the amulet is the major Hindu deity Lord Shiva, who is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity, of the primary aspects of the divine, in which the cosmic functions of creation, maintenance, and destruction are personified by the forms of Brahmā the creator, Vishnu the maintainer or preserver, and Śhiva the destroyer or transformer.

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $175.00

 

ANTIQUE INDIAN AMULET, DUO LORD SHIVA
High Grade Silver, 12.2 Grams

This is an 19th century or early 20th century high grade silver die-stamped amulet pendant worn by the tribal people of Rajasthan, northern India.  The amulet pendant is domed and in the shape of a round form (mandala). The circular forms repel evil spirits who dare not enter them. The amulet has a decorative bale with floral unit, and the border engraved or chased by punching the pattern.

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $75.00

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ANTIQUE INDIAN AMULET
Silver Rectangular House, Family Unity Symbol Pendant, Rajasthan
High Grade Silver, 14.07 grams (0.496 oz.)

This is a vintage high grade silver amulet pendant from Rajasthan, northern India. A sacred and powerful charm, it is believed to offer the wearer protection.  The amulet is in the shape of a rectangle, the form symbolic of a house plan, a symbol of family unity, represented by a walled-in rectangle. The amulet uses round units to cover joins. It has four decorative bales and silver border added.

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $105.00

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ANTIQUE INDIAN AMULET, HOI MATA, GODDESS DEVI
High Grade Silver, 12.18 grams (0.429 oz)

This is a mid 20th century folk style amulet pendant from the Himachal Pradesh State, in Northern India, bordered by Jammu and Kashmir on the north, Punjab and the Tibet Autonomous Region on the east. About 90% of the population still live in a rural environment.  The amulet features a die stamped folk style Three Sisters – or also called “Hoi Mata” Mother Goddess who presides over the well being of the family in local Hindu folk beliefs. The Goddess blessings are invoked for well being and protection of children by their mothers. A sacred, powerful charm, it is believed to offer the wearer protection.

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $85.00

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ANTIQUE INDIAN AMULET, HOI MATA, GODDESS DEVI
High Grade Silver, 16.34 grams (0.575 oz)

This is an early to mid 20th century folk style amulet pendant from the Himachal Pradesh State, in Northern India, bordered by Jammu and Kashmir on the north, Punjab and the Tibet Autonomous Region on the east.   The amulet features a die stamped folk style Three Sisters – or also called “Hoi Mata” Mother Goddess who presides over the well being of the family in local Hindu folk beliefs. The Goddess blessings are invoked for well being and protection of children by their mothers. A sacred, powerful charm, it is believed to offer the wearer protection.

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $105.00

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ANTIQUE INDIAN AMULET, VISHNU’S SACRED FOOTPRINTS
High Grade Silver, 11.66 (0.412 oz.)

This is a mid 20th century high grade silver amulet pendant of the side-by-side footprints of a standing deity, generally termed sripada (divine footprints) and worn by a wide Hindu audience, especially in northern India.  The sacred footprints is depicted within the shape of a yoni – the origin of life, or leaf of the sacred fig tree with the bottom pointing ovule.

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $85.00

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ANTIQUE BUDDHA STATUE, NEPAL, TIBET or HIMALAYAN
Bhumisparsha Mudra, Meditating Buddha, Cast Brass, ca. 18th -19th Century, 370 Grams

This is an antique Sakyamuni Buddha statue from the Himalayan region, Nepal or Tibet. The Buddha is seated in the Bhumisparsha mudra position. This Bhumisparsha mudra,
formed with all five fingers of the right hand extended to touch the ground, symbolizes the Buddha’s enlightenment under the bodhi tree, when he summoned the earth goddess, Sthavara, to bear witness to his attainment of enlightenment.  Buddha is seated on two rows of lotus petals above a stepped platform supported by lions, elephants and in the center a diety most probably Mahakala who is among the Dharmapalas or “Defenders of the doctrine” and can be recognized by their wrathful representations. Mahakala tantamounts to the Hindu deity Shiva.

Visit SHOP – PRICE: USD $595.00

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ANTIQUE  HIMALAYAN PENDANT, HIMACHAL PRADESH
 55.6 Grams
High Grade Silver, Turquoise, 46 cm (18″), 3 mm, Silver Snake Chain, 11 Grams

 

 

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 woolen apron.

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $795.00

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HIMALAYAN NECKLACE, VINTAGE NEPAL GAU PENDANT
Turquoise, Coral, Silver Beads, High Grade Silver 42 cm (16 1/2″), 67 Grams

This is a vintage silver, coral and turquoise pendant from the Himalayas, most probably from Nepal or Tibet.The pendant resembles the front of a Tibetan Gau Box and is a heavy, high grade silver 92.5% approx. with high relief repousse decoration of scrolling flower to each corner. There is a genuine turquoise cabochon in a bezel setting, and four small turquoise or glass stones.   The Himalayan pendand is in the shape of a gau box whose form of two intersecting squares symbolize two crossed dorjes, symbol of the ultimate stability of Buddhahood.  On the back is the symbol of two crossed dorges and in the center the symbol of the two golden fish. In Buddhism, the fish symbolize happiness as they have complete freedom of movement in the water.

Visit SHOP – Price: USD $450.00

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ANTIQUE TIBETAN PENDANT, TIBETAN HAIR BEAD ORNAMENT
Turquoise, Coral, Mixed Metal Alloy, 83.6 Grams

 

This is a rather large, late 19th century or early 20th century traditional mixed metal alloy, with very low silver content Tibetan Hair Bead ornament pendant worn by married women. The front is decorated with four turquoise stone cabochons and a central coral bead set in lac. There is very fine silver twisted wire beading and a circle of raised shot beads around the centre stone. There is a row of repousse lotus petals.

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $295.00

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ANTIQUE TIBETAN GAU BOX, SQUARE
High Grade Silver Front, Copper Back, Coral, 149.5 Grams (5.275 oz.)

TIBET – 19th Century. This is an antique Tibetan Gau or Ghau Amulet box with four genuine corals set in a bezel setting. The center mandala is one large coral in the center of open lotus flower buds and four conch sells. The square surrounding the lotus flower are the Himalayan Buddhist Eight Auspicious Emblems.

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $895.00

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LATE 19th CENTURY, TIBETAN WOMAN’S  OVAL GAU BOX
(With an applied chased 10 kt gilt over copper stylized Vajra or Dorje (thunderbolt) center piece overlay.
A genuine lapis lazuli cabochon inset around a decorated bezel), 41.7 Grams (1.460 oz.)

Antique Tibetan Gau Box, Tibetan Ghau

This is a woman’s Oval Gau or Ghau Reliquary Amulet Box with a chased gilt Vajra or Dorje (thunderbolt) stylized center piece added, and a genuine lapis lazuli cabochon inset around a decorated bezel from the late 19th century.  Although worn in all areas, the oval-shaped silver ga’u was particularly favoured by women in Lhasa and the southern border areas of Tibet, in Sikkim and Bhutan. It is becoming increasing hard to come by this type of Gau Box in good condition.  The Gau Box has a oval domed front and is of high grade silver, 92.5% approx. The front has high relief repousse work on all sides and the gilt copper center overlay is held in place with a sturdy clip on the inside.

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $595.00

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

 

This Tibetan high grade silver oblong Gau amulet box ornamented with gilt filigree work and a genuine old coral was worn suspended from the top gadrooned tube.  The central field is covered in separately embossed or stamped gilded filigree sprig leaves, flower and petal elements, surrounding a stylized coral bezel “Tree of Life” and with the Axis Mundi”. The axis mundi (also cosmic axis, world axis, world pillar and centre of the world) is a symbol representing the centre of the world where the heaven (sky) connects with the earth. 

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $895.00

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MUSEUM QUALITY

CHAMDO, EASTERN TIBET, LARGE MAN’S GHAU, GAU AMULET BOX
Copper with Brass Overlays, Iron Inner Sides
Central Crossed Gems Symbol (Nor-bu-bskor-cha), 428.6 Grams

This is a large antique Tibetan copper Gau or Ghau amulet box with an applied brass overlay top and side panels and heavy iron inner panels.  The top brass face plate etched with the auspicious emblem of four Lotus Flowers and eight Lotus Buds joined together with flowing silk ribbons.  The central cut out symbol is one of the Seven Gems: the Crossed Gem (T. nor-bu bskor-cha).  The Yin-Yang (or contrary influences) is chased on the top brass plate and around the sides of the Gau Box.

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $995.00

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TIBET, MID 19th CENTURY, WOMAN’S  OVAL GAU, GHAU RELIQUARY AMULET BOX
(With an applied chased 10 kt gilt over brass stylized Vajra or Dorje (thunderbolt) centre piece overlay,
a genuine coral cabochon inset around a decorated brass bezel), 48.6 Grams

This is a beautiful antique, c.1850 Tibetan Gau Amulet Box and the oval domed front is of high grade silver, 92.5% approx.  The back section is made of copper.  Although worn in all areas, the oval-shaped silver ga’u was particularly favoured by women in Lhasa and the southern border areas of Tibet, in Sikkim and Bhutan.  The front has beautiful high relief repousse work on all sides and  the brass center overlay is held in place with a sturdy clip on the inside.

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $595.00

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ANTIQUE TIBETAN GAU, PARCEL GILT, HIGH GRADE SILVER FRONT
Filigree, Turquoise, Coral, c. 1850, 89.5 Grams

This is a truly beautiful rare well preserved c. 1850’s type in double ogival form Gau box worn by Tibetan women and very popular in the border areas of west and south Tibet and in the Indian Himalayan districts.  The central field is covered in separately embossed or stamped gilded filigree sprig leaves, surrounding a stylized turquoise bezel “Tree of Life” and with the Axis Mundi”. The axis mundi (also cosmic axis, world axis, world pillar and centre of the world) is a symbol representing the centre of the world where the heaven (sky) connects with the earth.

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $750.00

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ANTIQUE TIBETAN GAU, HIGH GRADE SILVER FRONT
Filigree, Turquoise, 22.1 Grams

This is a well preserved early 20th century small Gau Box in double ogival form. worn by Tibetan women and very popular in the border areas of west and south Tibet and in the Indian Himalayan districts.  The central field is covered in separately embossed or stamped silver filigree sprig leaves, flower and petal elements, surrounding a stylized turquoise bezel “Tree of Life” and with the Axis Mundi”. The axis mundi (also cosmic axis, world axis, world pillar and centre of the world) is a symbol representing the centre of the world where the heaven (sky) connects with the earth.   It has a border of very small individually applied lotus petal elements.

Visit SHOP – PRICE: USD $225.00

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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.)

Himachal Pradesh Woman with Jewellery and Ornaments

Antique Himachal Pradesh Gau Box Necklace

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. The Gau prayer box is approximately 2 cm (3/4″) deep and is missing the Gau backing plate. I have silver tested several parts – as the silver content varies. The Chain, Bale, Bells and Gau Sides are approx. 80-90%, the front sheet of the Gau- 92.5% approx. while the silver beading border and the bale extension is low grade silver.

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $550.00

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AN ISLAMIC, CENTRAL ASIA SILVER QU’RAN HOLDER, TALISMAN , KORAN CONTAINER
High Grade Silver, 50.5 Grams
Afghanistan, Pashtun

This is an antique, (over 100 years old) high grade silver octagonal talisman miniature Quran case which would have contained inscriptions of verses from the Quran 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). 

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $175.00

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ANTIQUE TURKMEN (TURKOMAN) YOMUD TRIBE PENDANT
Gol-e kamar Belt Element, Carnelian, 80% Silver approx.
Iran, Khorasan, Central Asia, 50 Grams
48 cm (19″) Antique Turkmen High Grade Silver Chain

 

Iran – Khorasan, Mashad Belt elements from the Turkmen Yomud people; silver and agate – Quai Branly Museum

This is a collectible early 20th century classic style handcrafted Gol-e kamar (waistband) of the Yomud Tribe from Turkmenia (Turkmenistan) in central Asia.  I have identified the pendant from the last listing photo – detailed as Belt Elements from Turkmen Yomud People, Quai Branly Museum, Paris and this pendant was at one time part of a more elaborate belt.  The diamond shape has a 7 mm band border of decorative silver platted wire applied around and a central table cut carnelian in a bezel setting. There is also filigree and applied units.

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $225.00

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ANTIQUE INDIAN CUFF BRACELET, ANKLET
Gujarat or Rajasthan, Two Part Hollow Hinged, High Grade Silver, Large, 223 Grams

A COLLECTORS ITEM: This type of large 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 223 grams of high grade silver, and is dated from similar examples from the 1800’s. The round bracelet looks like it came straight out of a modern jeweller’s studio.The hollow cast bracelet is made in two parts. It opens when the front screw is removed, allowing the part to open from the back hinge. This bracelet is most likely from Gujarat or Rajasthan in northern India, and of a type favored by Harijan and Koli women of the Saurashtra region, Gujarat, but also made and used in neighboring Rajasthan.

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $995.00

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

A COLLECTOR’S ITEM

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.

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $895.00

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ANTIQUE INDIAN BRACELET, ARMLET, VAUK
Low Grade Silver, 249.5 Grams, Madhya Pradesh, Central India

RARE: Early 20th century, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, armlet, bracelet. This is a low grade silver armlet (50% approx.) called Vauk, traditionally worn by Maharatta and Gujarati women of the Raval community. The semi flexible body of a broad, braided low grade 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 at the wrist.

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $495.00

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ANTIQUE SOUTH INDIA BRACELET, ARMLET
Toda Tribe, Tamil Nadu, Solid Silver, 129.3 Grams

 

This is an early 20th century, high grade solid silver, rigid, armlet or bracelet from Toda Tribe, Tamil Nadu, South India, with a traditional stylized diamond shape geometric central piece, with five representations of the “Sun”. The bracelet has been shaped to fit as being worn as an armlet on the upper arm – which it was originally used for. The small opening allows for this armlet to be in place.

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $495.00

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

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. There are still some traces of gilt in the silver crevices of the bracelet.  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 very high silver content jewellery achieves after decades of wear.

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $695.00

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

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 hinge and front pin. This is quite an easy operation.  This 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.

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $550.00

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VINTAGE VAGHADIA RABARI VEDHLA EARRINGS
8 Grams (0.38oz.)

This is a pair of 1950’s to 1980’s traditional Vaghadia Rabari Tribe women’s earrings from Gujarat. They are called ‘vedhla’ (ear ornament) and are worn in groups of five and six at the upper edge of the ears.   This shape is often found in traditional Rabari jewellery. The earrings are very well made, hollow cubes and lightweight and of high grade silver.

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $75.00

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ANTIQUE INDIAN EARRINGS, NAGALI EARRINGS, RABARI, DHEBARIA
Rajasthan , High Grade Silver, 21 Grams

This is a pair of early to mid 20th century traditional high grade silver earrings, Nagali, women’s lobe earrings worn by married Dhebaria Rabari women. The Rabari of Pushka are nomadic people who move between Gujarat and 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 ears and have been recently added for wearing. There is a wax element in the earrings for weight.

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $275.00

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VINTAGE INDIAN EARRINGS, VEDHLA  EARRINGS, RABARI, DHEBARIA
Gujarat, Rajasthan , Silver Plated,  13.2 Grams

This is a pair of mid 20th century traditional Rajput women’s earrings from Gujarat. They are called ‘vedhla’ (ear ornament) and are worn in the earlobe. The last listing photo is a Rajput woman wearing these earrings ‘vedhla’. Such a beautiful photo expressing the experience of life. This photo also shows the same wear on the earrings as the ones I am selling.  This shape is often found in traditional Rabari jewellery. The earrings are very well made, hollow and lightweight and are silver plated over copper.

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $85.00

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VINTAGE INDIAN JHUMKA SILVER EARRINGS
High Grade Silver, Rajasthan, 33.6 Grams

This is a pair 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. 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 33.6 grams.

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $195.00

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VINTAGE INDIAN RING, MAKARA HEADS
Men’s Thumb Ring, High Grade Silver, 12.8 Grams (0.450 oz.)

This is a vintage high grade silver approx. 85%-90% Makara Heads thumb ring traditionally worn by the men of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.  A makara is considered to be an aquatic mythical creature and the vehicle of the goddess Ganga, the Ganges River personified, and Varuna, the god of terrestrial waters, and its magical powers relate to the fertility of water life.

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $175.00

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ANTIQUE INDIA SHAIVITE BRASS BANGLE
In the form known as “Virkangan” (Powerful Bangle), 138 Grams

 

This is an antique lost wax cast brass bangle from one of the small towns or villages around Maharashtra, and in the form known as “Virkangan” (Powerful Bangle).  It is worn as a bangle or on the upper arm by a Shaivite ascetic.  Represented around the perimeter are symbols associated with Shiva and his relatives I have been able to identify.

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $295.00

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LADKAH BEADS from an ANTIQUE LADAKHI NECKLACE
Three Strands for Jewellery Making, Total Weight: 70 Gram, Low Grade Silver Beads

Example of Beads – 19th Century Ladakh Beads Necklace, V&A Museum, London

Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir State, India c. early 1900’s beads, three strands from a very old Ladakhi necklace.   The Ladakhi necklace strands arrived broken from shipping so I have decided to  sell the low grade silver beads in a lot for jewellery making.  The eleven hand made silver spacer beads have a bezel setting. The stones are now missing. Length: 2.5cm, (1″) , Weight: 41.8 Grams (1.475oz.) at $10.00 each.  Ten fringe of drops of closed champakali (jasmine buds). Length: 3.3cm (1 1/4″), Weight: 17.4 Grams (0.615oz.) at $6.50 each.  Fifty four small silver spacer beads, Weight: 10.8 Grams (0.380oz.) at $17.00.  Total Weight: 70 Grams (2.454oz.).

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $100.00 

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VINTAGE TIBETAN IMITATION (GLASS) dZI BEADS, THREE EYED
Cord Length: 63 cm (25″) 88.3 Grams, (3.115 oz.)
Adjustable to wear long hanging or close around the neck. Approx.  50 Years Old

These dZI glass beads were probably created in India for the Tibetan market and have been assessed to be approximately 50 years old. The Tibetan dZi vintage imitation glass beads necklace on the original cotton thread strand with mixed metal silver spacer beads. The beads shown here and are mostly of the common three eyed type. The average bead size is between 3 cm and 3.5 cm long, 1.3 cm to 1.5 cm wide and they do have a lovely patina. Each bead weighs between 6 to 9 grams.

Visit SHOP – PRICE:  USD $75.00

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ANTIQUE INDIAN CAST BRASS SECTARIAN BODY STAMPS, CHHAPA, SCRIPT RELATED TO DEITY
Inscription: In Old Bengali – SHRI SHRI RADHA KRISHNA

 
These are antique (18th or 19th century) cast bronze and brass sectarian body stamps (chhapa). In use by Vishnu Devotees (gokul sampradaya) and others, they are dipped into a past prepared of sandalwood, then pressed on the skin. (Some paste residue is still present on these stamps.) The square Sectarian Body Stamps have scripts related to a deity, usually Vishnu or Shiva.

USD $95.00

USD $55.00

USD $60.00