Indian Enamelled Hair Ornament

Enamelled Silver Forehead Ornament (Chiri-Tikka)

dimensions: 10.5cm x : 10cm, weight: 106g

This fine forehead ornament is of chiselled and enamelled silver from which 22 sets of between two and three hollow-cast silver balls (goli) are suspended like an elaborate fringe. Such ornaments were worn by young women of the Gaddi minority in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.

The main plate of the ornament is enamelled in green and blue with foliage and stylised bird motifs.

The top of the ornament is fitted with three loops to allow it to be suspended form the hair over the forehead.

Determining a precise date of manufacture is difficult. An anklet from Himachal Pradesh in the V&A (see Barnard, 2008, p. 85 for an illustration) that was purchased at the Great Exhibition on 1851 has very similar enamel work in precisely the same colours.

Barnard, N., Indian Jewellery, V&A Publishing, 2008.

Untracht, O.,

Traditional Jewelry of India, Thames & Hudson, 1997.

UK art market