Sri Lankan Silver Necklace

Silver & Lapis Lazuli Bead Necklace

This beautiful necklace comprises hollow silver beads of various types but all of a type made and worn in Sri Lanka in the 19th and first half of the 20th century, and graduated solid lapis lazuli beads (each bead has pyrite crystals, an indicator of lapis lazuli rather than some other substitute).

The necklace closes with a silver hook and ring, and has been re-threaded onto a nylon cord so its stable.

The silver beads are modelled after seed pods and fruits. Others with applied granulation work are similar to beads that might have been worn in Oman and Yemen which is not surprising given the Arab trade networks between the Gulf, the west coast of India and Sri Lanka. Strands or large, rosary-like beads were favoured by the Malay women of Sri Lanka (often the product of political exiles from Indonesia by the Dutch), as well as the Ceylonese themselves.

The necklace is in a fine condition and is very wearable.

Coomaraswamy, A.K., Mediaeval Sinhalese Art, Pantheon Books, 1956 reprint of the 1908 edition.

Wimalaratne, K.D.G. & D. Gomes,

Costumes of Sri Lanka, 2001.

UK art market