Gowrishankaram, Tamil Nadu, India

The upper part of the pendant depicts Shiva Nataraja in his cosmic dance on the demon of ignorance. He is accompanied by his wife and a devotee.  The pendant below depicts Ganesh. The chain consists of Rudraksha beads; these are the seeds of an evergreen tree that is believed to possess great healing power, they are also regarded as tears of Shiva. On the back of both pendants, there are small compartments, which are usually used to store ashes and a removable lingam.

This ornament is specific to male members of the Nattukottai Chettiar community and the diksshitars (priests) of the renowned Shiva temple at Chidambaram; other devotees wear it as an expression of their faith.

Materials: gold, rudraksha seeds, pearl, ruby and glass.

Dimensions:

Size (approx): 70 cm
Size of the 2 pendants together: 14,5 x 8,5 cm
Back ornament: 6 x 4 cm

Weight: 220,8 gr

Literature:

“Dance of the peacock”, Krishnam, Usha R. Bala, India book House, 2010
“Traditional jewelry of India”, Untracht, Oppi, Harry N. Abrams. Inc publishers, 1997
“Inde bijoux en or des collections Barbier Mueller”, Somogy editions d’art, 2004
“Indian Folk jewellery”, Ganguly, Waltraud, B.R. Publishing Corporation, 2015
“Indian Jewellery”, Nigam, M.L., Lustre Press, Roli books, 2001
“Ethnic jewellery from Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands”, The Pepin Press, 2002

PIN11

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