Ladakh Twelve-Strand Coral, Turquoise & Silver Bead Necklace (Ultik)

This very fine crescent-form necklace is from Ladakh in northern India in the foothills of the Himalayas, or from an adjacent area. It comprises hundreds of barrel-shaped, natural, red coral beads as well as hundreds of small spherical silver beads, plus 24 silver beads shaped like small ribbed fruits.

The bead strands are threaded through a central gilded or low-carat gold band or rib inlaid with tiny turquoise chips against a black-pitch background. The strands terminate at each end with a silver spacer and then a triangular array of silver beads.

The necklace closes with a silver chain and a ‘S’-shaped loop and hook catch inset on both sides with oval-shaped coral cabochons.

A related ultik necklace is illustrated in Untracht (1997, p. 154). Another is in Borel (1994, p. 162). A related example attributed to Ladakh with coral beads and a similar ‘S’ hook closing mechanism comprised lot 593 of Sotheby’s ‘Himalayan, Indian & South-East Asian Works of Art’, London, October 21, 1993.

This is fine and wearable necklace with genuine age and wear.