Large South Indian Temple Priest’s Anklet (Kal Chilampu)

This large and heavy, cast bronze, rigid anklet was worn by a priest or seer-oracle (velichapad) in a temple compound in Kerala.

Cast using the lost-wax method, it has an elliptical shape, is hollow and encases several pellets that rattle when the anklet is moved. The anklet has been cast at the front with a loop with a cobra’s head at the front and surmounted buy an image of Nandi. It is cast with other mystical symbols and is engraved on the interior with several lines of Malayalam script.

A similar example is illustrated in Untracht (1997, p. 271). Another is shown in Jain-Neubauer (200o, p. 50).

The anklet is in fine condition other than for a single, fine hairline crack towards the front of the anklet, but this seems stable and is only apparent on close inspection.