Catalogue: Bhutan Koma Brooches
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Bhutan Koma Brooch, Bhutanese Cloak Fasteners, Silver Linking Chain, 185 Grams
RARE: This pair is quite heavy at 185 Grams.
This pair of silver and mixed metal alloy (approx. 50% silver on the front and back of the pair of Koma Brooches) are Bhutanese dress or cloak fasteners known as Koma. This pair of Bhutanese Koma Broochs have the “Symbol of Bhutan” featured on the fronts. The design contained in a circle is composed of a double diamond-thunderbolt (dorje) placed above a lotus, surmounted by a jewel and framed by two dragons. The thunderbolt represents the harmony between secular and religious power. The lotus symbolizes purity; the jewel expresses sovereign power; and the two dragons, male and female, stand for the name of the country which they proclaim with their great voice, the thunder. The outer circle has the etched border. The centre stones are now missing (most probably turquoise). The openwork design is super imposed on a circular backing plate and on this reverse is soldered a metal bar tapered to points which bend inwards to form a fastening device. (These are very sharp points!!). Also attached on the reverse of each Koma is a small ring for the addition of the chain or japtha. The hooks of the Koma brooches are attached to the front of the dress – one on either shoulder or upper chest – and then been linked by a chain forming an additional decorative feature across the front.The four parallel mixed metal alloy fine silver mesh linking chains are attached to rectangular silver element at each end.This pair of koma brooches are from the early 20th century, as the arrival of round shoulder brooches was only introduced in the early 20th century. This pair have obvious wear and age from decades of actual use. The contours of the silver have been softened and the pair have a superb patina, front and back.
Weight: 185.23 Grams, (6.534 oz.)
Length of Chain: 20.5 cm (8 “)
Koma Width: 5.5 cm (2 1/4″)
Koma Height: 5.5 cm (2 1/4″)
Total Length: 32 cm (13”)
Tested: Low Grade Silver Front and back, Rectangle Silver Elements and chain tested mixed metal alloy, Large Ring at back tested high grade silver
USD $1,100.00
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Bhutan Koma Brooch, Bhutanese Cloak Fasteners, Silver Linking Chain, 136 Grams
RARE: This pair is really special.
This pair of silver (tested high grade silver on the front of the pair of Koma Brooches) are Bhutanese dress or cloak fasteners known as Koma. The Koma Brooch is ornamented with the grotesque ‘monster mask’ of Kirtimukha (Glorious Face) of the Fierce Monster. The Tibetan Kirtimukha is represented as a demon with horned face which does not have a lower jaw. The kirtimukha is essentially an ornamental motif in art, which has its origin in a legend from the Skanda Purana and the Shiva Purana. The Kirtimukha is often used as a motif surmounting the pinnacle of a temple or the image of a deity. “Kirtimukha serves primarily as an apotropaic demon-mask, a gruesome, awe-inspiring guardian of the threshold.” He is holding four jewels in its claws – one hidden behind. The outer border has the cloud symbol and the inner circle has the etched wind symbol. The centre stones are now missing (most probably turquoise) and are surrounded by stylized – ‘Meconopsis gakyidiana’ – a species of blue poppy native to Eastern Bhutan. It is the national flower of Bhutan. The openwork design is super imposed on a circular backing plate and on this reverse is soldered a metal bar tapered to points which bend inwards to form a fastening device. (These are very sharp points!!). 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 hooks of the Koma brooches are attached to the front of the dress – one on either shoulder or upper chest – and then been linked by a chain than ran around the back of the neck or the joining chain forming an additional decorative feature at the front. The two parallel mixed metal alloy linking chains each have sturdy rectangular silver element at each end. This pair of koma brooches are from the early 20th century, as the arrival of round shoulder brooches was only introduced in the early 20th century. This pair have obvious wear and age from decades of actual use. The contours of the silver have been softened and the pair have a superb patina, front and back.
Weight: 136 Grams, (4.8 oz.)
Length of Chain: 37 cm (14 1/2″)
Koma Width: 5.5 cm (2 1/4″)
Koma Height: 5.5 cm (2 1/4″)
Total Length: 49.5 cm (19 1/2″)
Tested: High Grade Silver Front, Rectangle Silver Elements tested silver 80%, Large Ring at back tested high grade silver. Chain – Low grade silver.
Back: Mixed Metal Alloy
USD $1,050.00
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