Gold and turquoise earring, Tibet

Tibetan male commoner’s “along” (“Ring-Shaped”) hoop ear pendant. It has a brass core and a small turquoise inset at the end of the loop. As they were heavy to wear, the weight was taken by a chain or thread hooking them up into the hair or over the head.

Age: 1st half of the XXth century, maybe earlier.

This kind of earring was worn in pairs by women and singly by men.

Dimensions: 6 x 5,5 cm
Size of turquoise: 2,2 cm
Weight: 46,4 gr

Literature:

“Jewellery of Tibet and the Himalayas”, Clarke, John, Harry N. Abrams. Inc publishers, 2004
“Gold jewelry from Tibet and Nepal”, Singer, Jane Casey, Thames & Hudson, London, 1996
“Tibetan costume and ornaments” China Intercontinental Press, 2000
“A world of earrings. Africa, Asia America”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2001

HIM74