Do check for items from INDIA on the EAST page as well.
I must recommend while I have your attention,
that if Indian jewellery interest you, you must buy a copy of "Traditional
Jewelry of India" and "The Jewelry of Nepal". Books are expensive
these days, but invaluable resources if you want to fully appreciate your
own collection...
IND149. This is a graceful dragon bracelet from India.
It is hollow but sectioned off inside. One end at the mouth
of the dragon has come off years ago, so you can see inside less than
an inch where the section is. This is an antique piece weighing
76.3 grams. The inside measures 2 inches by 2 1/4 inches across
the inside. It best fits a wrist of about 7 inches around.
See page 206 of "the World of Bracelets". It is explained
there that the bracelets are worn in Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh -
originally with lions heads - a Sythian motif that came originally from
Persia. The head has gradually came to look like a dragon.
$135.US.
IND157. Hindu amulets are important in representing a
deity, and accessing their power. A priest or shaman can activate
the power so that it remains attached to that amulet forever.
This is an amulet of Ganesha, the elephant headed son of Shiva.
He has the ability to remove obstacles in one's path and works at
creating good. This is 4 1/4 inches tall, 3 1/2 inches wide, and
1/4 inch thick at the edges. The amulet weighs 139 grams and
costs $445.US
IND171. This is an enlarged image of a silver signet
ring. It has an inscribed seal on the 11/16 inch wide oval on the
front. The ring itself is a size 9. $45.US.
IND186. These are attractive antique silver
pendants from India. Each one refers to a traditional story,
lesson to be learned, and god. They are priced by weight.
#1 -2 1/8 inches tall. $48.US. #2 - 2 1/4 inches tall.
$78.US. #3 - 2 1/4 inches tall. $62.US. #4 - 1 3/8 inches
tall. $62.US. #5 - 1 5/8 inches tall. $65.US. #6 - 1 7/8
inches tall. $54.US. #7 - 2 inches tall. $38.US. #8 - 1
3/4 inches tall. $30.US. (#4 is available, the others are sold)
IND188. These two silver pendants are not "antique" but
are 20 or so years old. They are made of heavy silver in the
traditional way illustrating stories of the gods. Both of the
pendants have a putty-like material on them which can be cleaned off.
I will leave that to the new owner. Pendant #1 - 3 3/4
inches tall. $205.US. Pendant #2 - 3 3/4 inches tall. $270.US.
IND192. Each set of pendants has its own character.
I am not sure if I could pick a favourite as each style seems to
have its own aesthetic. Pendants #1 - are 1 3/8 by 1 1/8 inches
in size. $186.US. Pendants #2 - are 1 1/4 by 1 1/8 inches in
size. $82.US. Pendants #3 - are 1 5/8 by 1 1/16 inches in size.
$130.US. (#1 is available, the rest are sold)
IND194. Pendant #1 is 4 1/4 inches long.
It is antique and the hanging loops are quite worn from the
pendants swinging back and forth. The pendants seem to be for
cleaning the ears or some similar duty. This needs to be worn
gently. - $50.US. Pendant #2 is 3 5/8 inches tall and quite
heavy, with the addition of coloured glass and bells. A number of
the loops are wrapped with cotton thread to keep them from wearing away
too quickly. $115.US.
IND201. These rings are both from the Kondh people of
Orissa, South India. #1 is made of silver coins (1962 & 1963)
from India, shaped into a flower and decorated. It looks very
distinctive when worn. size 7.5. - $75.US. #2 is
similar to rings shown on page 148/49 of "A World of Rings". It
is made of bronze with a flat back and circled front. It measures
1 7/8 inches across and is a size 5 - $55.US. (#1 is sold, #2 is available)
IND202.
This is a newish ring made in the last 40 or 50 years. It
is a signet ring with a very distinctive design on it. One the
left side of the photo you can see that a dotted pattern has been added
to the ring band - it is rather intriguing. size 10.5.
$55.US.
IND205. This antique silver bracelet is from Pakistan.
This is in the age range of 100 years or so, is well made with a
thick slice of silver and beautifully decorated. You can see
another of this type on page 163 of "A World of Bracelets". The
author says "These shapes are shared by the Pashtun. There are
many variations on the Swat bracelet. Bracelets with lion heads
existed in Iran before the Achaemenian period." This bracelet is
highly influenced by the past. For wearing, it must fit perfectly
so that it does not fall off - as the opening is quite large (1 1/5
inches across). A nice rounded wrist is the best, about 7 inches
around. $250.US.
IND206. This is a similar bracelet to the one above -
from Pakistan and made by the Pashtun. It has a narrower back
section. This is also best on a rounded arm of 7 inches around or
so. It needs to grip closely to stay on. $240.US.
IND208. Large, antique silver Lingham with silver chain. $900.US.
IND209. #1 is $68.US. #2 is $28.US.
#3 is $66.US. #4 is $52.US. #5 is
$28.US. #6 is $48.US. (#1, #4 & #5 are available, all others are sold)
IND211. Brass bracelet with bells. $65.US.
IND212. Brass bracelet/cuff with intricate designs. $120.US.
IND213. Antique Nagaland shell pieces and carnelians. $465.US.
IND272. I have a group of very old, very well used
Lingham boxes or caskets here. They all need cords or chain for
suspension. According to "Traditional Jewelry of India", "The
lingam is used as a meditation device to allow the worshipper to
concentrate on Shiva. In daily worship, the lingam is removed
from its casket and placed upright in the left palm with the indented
dot facing the worshipper, who pours a water or milk libation over it
with the right hand while reciting appropriate mantras. The water
offering or milk that falls into a tray placed below is collected and
imbibed by the worshiper, since to drink this sacred liquid, which has
theoretically contacted the lingam, purifies and strengthens the
individual and expels all sin. After the ceremony, the encased
lingam is dried, wrapped in cloth, and returned to the casket, ready to
be worn again."
This antique silver box is 2 3/8 inches wide and 1 3/4 inches tall. $400.US.
IND273. This antique Lingham box is a very unusual shape.
It is 2 1/4 inches wide and 2 1/2 inches tall. I
photographed the more damaged side. The other side is more
attractive. $360.US.
IND274. This antique Lingham box is a traditional shape
like that of an egg. It is 2 1/2 inches wide and 2 1/8 inches
tall. These are all very memorable pieces, over 100 years old.
$350.US.
IND275. This antique Lingham box has decorative panels on
the side that look like clover shapes. It is 2 1/2 inches wide
and slightly over 2 inches tall. $380.US.
IND276. This is a very beautifully made, quite heavy
antique silver ring. I am not sure of the origin. size 12.
$95.US.
IND277. This pendant is 1 1/2 inches tall. $49.US.
IND279. There is a group of antique silver pendants from
India here: #1 is 1 3/8 inches tall. $44.US. #2 is 1
inch tall. $14.US. #3 is 1 3/16 inches tall. $18.US.
#4 is 1 3/8 inches tall. $32.US. #5 is 1 5/16
inches tall. $20.US. #6 is 1 3/8 inches tall.
$24.US. #7 is 1.5 inches tall. $45.US. #8 is
1 7/16 inches tall. $30.US. #9 is 1 1/2 inches tall.
$18.US. (#2 is sold, the rest are available)
IND280. Here is a group of antique silver pendants from
India: #1 is 1 1/8 inches tall. $24.US. #2 is 1 1/2
inches tall. $14.US. #3 is 1 1/8 inches tall.
$54.US. #4 is 1 11/16 inches tall. $56.US. #5
is 1 1/2 inches tall. $38.US. (#2, #4 & #5 are available, all others are sold)
IND281. There are three antique silver pendants from
India here: #1 is 2 3/8 inches tall. $89.US. #2 is
2 1/8 inches tall. $42.US. #3 is 2 1/4 inches tall.
$110.US. (#1 is available, #2 is sold)
IND282. There are two antique silver pendants from India
here: #1 is 1 3/8 inches tall. $70.US. #2 is 1 7/16
inches tall. $78.US. (#2 is available)
IND283. Here is a group of antique silver pendants from
India: #1 is 1 9/16 inches tall. $24.US. #2 is 1
3/4 inches tall. $30.US. #3 is 1 3/4 inches tall.
$38.US. #4 is 1 1/2 inches tall. $42.US. #5
is 1 3/4 inches tall. $48.US. #6 is 1 7/16 inches tall.
$28.US. #7 is 2 3/16 inches tall. $48.US. (#3, #4 & #6 are available, the others are sold)
IND285. This complex and heavy antique silver pendant from India is 2 7/8 inches tall. $148.US.
IND287. This antique silver pendant from India is 3 1/8 inches tall. $200.US.
IND289. This antique silver ring is very similar to one
on page 133 of "a World of Rings". The finger part is made of
copper, but the built up piece above is all silver. The ring has
a bell inside so it is noisy when you shake your hand. size 8.
$50.US.
IND296. I have two very attractive sets of betel nut
cutters here. They are each antique and have been used quite a
lot already. This piece is brass and covered with circles in all
sizes. It is constructed (not cast) with some fanciful extra
decorations. When closed it is 6 1/4 inches across at the
longest. As in ancient tradition, betel or "areca" nuts are
sliced, then wrapped in betel leaf along with lime and various
flavourings. They are chewed as a slight stimulant in the modern
world. You can read more about them here: betel nuts. Each betel nut cutter is an individual collectible piece. $175.US.
IND297. Here is the second betel nut cutter. It is
antique, made of brass, and decorated with circles and little hammered
3 sided shapes. When closed it is 6 1/4 inches from end to end.
I find the handles very comfortable to hold - there must be
something else it could be used to cut as well... $175.US.
IND298. I believe this old silver piece started its life
as an ankle bracelet for a girl. It works fine as a bracelet
pushed up my arm a little (because I have a small wrist) or dangling
over my hand or would fit more closely - someone with a larger wrist
than mine... The hollow and hinged bracelet
measures 3 1/2 inches by 3 1/4 inches on the outside, and 2 1/2 inches
by 2 1/4 inches on the inside. This has had some words engraved into it
long ago which are written in Hindi: Gmar Gula Suma Chnar.
The bracelet weighs 131 grams and is priced at a bargain -
$285.US.
IND299. The is a heavy antique silver ring that needs to fit
nicely to stay reasonably stable. It is a size 8 and meant to fit
a middle finger. This is a creative and complex ring with dangles
all around the outside, meant to move when the wearer moves or
dances. From the point on top of the ring to the bottom of the
ring band measures 2 3/8 inches long and the wides part of the stack
(rather like a wedding cake) is 1 5/8 inches across. The top of
the ring opens - I don't honestly know how it was used. It
doesn't have a lock on it but stayes securely shut. $245.US.
IND303. I have had this necklace sitting in the office for
a few years and I have kept forgetting to list it. While sitting
here the silver has patinated and the pieces need a good cleaning
now. The 11 stamped discs are thin and measure 1 3/4 inches
across in diameter. The necklace itself (beads slipped over an
Indian woven chain) is 17 1/4 inches around. $350.US.
IND304. Here is a 35 1/2 inch long antique chain from
India. It is very nicely made but is missing the pin that one
inserts to close it. One end has a hook on it, and the more
decorative end has an opening. Once the hook is inserted a small
pin with a fat head on it is generally screwed in. Most jewellers
would be able to make a replacement for a reasonable price. The
chain weighs 61.4grams. $325.US.
IND305. This is a very unusual square antique silver
pendant with spiritual meaning. I can't read it myself - it may
be a "magic square" that is hammered into the center of the
piece. The pendant is 2 7/8 inches across and 2 3/4 inches from
top of square to bottom. Including the hanging loops it pendant
is 3 inches tall. $260.US.
IND309. There are 5 antique traditional silver pendants
here tied together right now. The pendants average 1 1/2 inches
from end to end and weigh an average of 25grams each. They are
$135.US each pendant.
The beaded items starting at IND105 and finishing
with IND108 are intriguing pieces from the Rabari in Gujarat, India.
Looking in the book "BEADWORK: a World Guide" I found some similarly
made pieces with the same components. In the book it says "The Rabari,
one of the largest groups of pastoralists, use beadwork to edge the small
bags they make as part of a bride's dowry." It also says "Rabari beadwork
is quite distinctive in style, and though predominantly white and primary
colours, like Kathi-style beadwork, it is quite easily recognized as Rabari
-- small white shells and white button are often included, the latter in
particular mark a piece as Rabari." These are all difficult pieces
to find outside of Gujarat.
IND127. These are
great pendant/magnets. They have round magnets at the back which can
be removed, and the links on top to make them pendants can be folded behind
the matchbox pieces. These are rather clumsily made but compelling
in their designs. Very cute. The largest ones are 2 inches by
2 1/2 inches. $10.US/each. (#4 & #11 are available)
IND135. There are
lots of small silver items from India here, priced by weight.
#1 - 2 3/8 inch long bead - $52.US. #2 - 1 3/4 inch long amulet
- $17.US. #3 - 2 amulets, 1 1/8 inches long - $19.US.
#4 - ring with green glass stone - $12.US. #5 - 1 1/2 inch long
amulet - $18.US. #6 - 3 1/8 inch long decorative amulet
- $75.US. #7 - 3 little amulets - $32.US. #8 - 2
bells - $17.US. (#1 & #4 are available, all others are sold)
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