Antique Indian Amulet Necklace, South India Cache-Sexe Plate, 96 Grams, 80cm (32 “)

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 "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."'

Quote from "Traditional Jewelry of India" - Oppi Untracht - Page 90.

"Telegu girl wearing a silver cache-sexe 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, is considered to be an abstract representation of Shakti and Devi, the creative force that moves through the entire universe.

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.

Cobalt Beads measure 5 mm (1/4 inch) in width and diameter with 3mm drilled hole.
Tavis measures 3.5cm (1 3/8" )

Height: 6cm (2 3/8") including Bale
Width: 4.5 cm (1 6/8”)
Weight: 96 grams (3.38 oz.)
Chain Length: 80cm (32”)

PRICE: USD $295.00 
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