Description:

India or Nepal, ca. mid to late 19th century CE. A high grade silver antique necklace featuring a large temple-shaped amulet depicting the Eight Mothers (a group of Hindu goddesses including Brahmani, Vaishnavi, Maheshvari, Indrani, Kaumari, Varahi, Chamunda, and Narasimhi) flanked by two other deities of war on horseback. Since these divine Mothers (either seven or eight) are always depicted together, as a heptad or an octad, they are called Sapta (Seven) Matrikas or Ashta (Eight) Matrikas. Saptamatrika worship is prevalent in South India, while the Ashtamatrika are revered in Nepal. These goddesses are believed to assist the great Shakta Devi in her flight with demons. Suspended from the lower end of the pendant are twelve double danglers that create a sonorous jingle. The silver chain is adorned with ten oval carved cow bone beads of peachy hues, each one further decorated with a round silver bezel that holds a beautiful turquoise cabochon. A special antique piece of wearable and sacred art believed to protect the wearer. Size: amulet measures 2.5" L x 2.25" W (6.4 cm x 5.7 cm); chain measures 19" L (48.3 cm) - 2.15" L (5.5 cm) with amulet; largest oval bone/turquoise bead measures 1.125" L x .5" W (2.9 cm x 1.3 cm)

Provenance: Ex-private CO collection; acquired in Jaipur, India in 1994.

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#117389

  • Condition: Excellent and quite wearable

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October 10, 2016 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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