Sherpa Himalayan Earrings

Pair of Gold, Turquoise & Silver Ear Ornaments (Godwari or Mendog Kogde)

These earrings are won by Sherpa women, typically in Eastern Nepal. They are called variously mendog kogde (Daalder, 1999, p. 305) or godwari or marigold after the flower they resemble (Gabriel, 1999, p.132). They comprise a thin repousse gold layer over a silver alloy disk. They are attached to the ear lobe via a thick post and in the pair here, a gold chain is added that is worn over the tope of the ear to support their weight. Small turquoise stones in black pitch form the centre of each earring.

An almost identical pair is illustrated in Daalder (1999, p. 304). Illustrations of a similar pair being worn by a Sherpa woman are published in Gabriel (1999, p. 114, 132.)

This pair are in excellent condition.