Antique Indian Necklace, Ganesh and Pavarti Amulet Box, Rajasthan, 120.6 Grams

This is a beautifully made late 18th to late 19th century high grade silver prayer box amulet pendant and ten small decorative prayer box pendants with matching borders and floral units, two taviz prayer boxes with bells and two silver fluted melon shape beads from Rajasthan, northern India.

The Ganesh and Pavarti amulet is part of a necklace supported on a black cotton thread cord.

The amulet pendant is in the shape of a square, represented by walled-in borders, the form symbolic of a house plan and family unity, around the shape of another square, with the die stamped image of Ganesh and Pavarti within a five-sided, peaked pentagon form, which symbolizes a temple (mandir).

The subject of the amulet is the Hindu God Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of Wisdom, depicted with four arms holding an Axe, Rope, Blessings and Madaka (Rewards), and his mother Goddess Parvati holding a trident and sword in her hands.

The three dimensional amulet container is sealed and most probably contains a wax element, as well with all the other components.

Three side of the pendant have rows of "Gajre" balls to form a border. These small hollow silver Gajre balls are intricately made as each silver ball is passed through a wire individually and combined around the base and has some slight movement on the wires.

This form of decoration was used on special Indian amulet pendants from the 18th - 19th century.

I have slightly cleaned the necklace and there is some silver tarnish - but will polish up beautifully.

It has an adjustable cord length secured with a sliding bead. The cotton cord is in quite good condition and has silver thread decoration - now tarnishes and looks a little worn.

Box Amulet Height: 5 cm (2") Gajre Balls
Amulet Box Width: 5 cm (2")
Small Prayer Box Pendants: 2.2 cm x 2.2 cm (7/8" x 7/8")
Taviz Pendants: 3.5 cm (1 3/8")
Extended Cord Length: 94 cm (37")
Necklace Component Length: 41 cm (16")
Tested: High Grade Silver
Weight: 120.6 Grams (4.25 oz.)