Rare Minangkabau necklace,from West Sumatra, Indonesia.
The necklace is made of high grade silver (gilded). While the oval filigree pendants with a central flower might suggest the stylized lotus, they are also typical of the star forms used in the Islamic design protocols of the Ottoman Empire, the Middle East and elsewhere. Late 19th century pictures show women of Solok wearing similar necklaces and it is likely that they were either made in nearby Padang on the coast or asembled there from filigree elements sent down by numerous silversmiths working in the Agam hills.
The Central pendant is the biggest, and the rest have decreasing sizes.
From the 19th or early 20th century.
Dimensions:
Length: 50 cm
Size of central pendant with dangles: 6,5 x 3,5 cm
Weight: 73,6 gr
Literature:
“Gold Jewellery of the Indonesian Archipelago”. Anne Richter, Bruce W. Carpenter, ed.Didier Millet, 2011, p.286
INDO136
