Bhutan Koma Brooches

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 Bhutanese Symbol Dragon - Druk the “Thunder Dragon” in Bhutanese and Tibetan mythology is represented on the Koma brooches. It is also the Bhutanese national symbol.
On close inspection you can see the dragon with its claw feet holding jewels (round balls) to represent wealth.

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

PRICE: USD $995.00 
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