Enquiry about object: 9600
Large, Elaborate Tibetan Hair Bead with Silver, Gilt & Multiple Turquoise
Central Tibet 18th century
length: 10cm, width: 4.6cm, depth: 2.7cm, weight: 81g
Provenance
private collection, Netherlands
This Tibetan hair bead is splendid for its unusually large size, unusual form, its quality, and also for its patina and obvious significant age. It is set with fifteen turquoise cabochons. More typically, such Tibetan hair beads are set with just one turquoise.
The large, central flat turquoise cabochon is mounted in a high, gilded or gold-plated copper setting.
The reverse of the bead is backed with iron sheet.
Such beads were worn in the hair by upper class women in Lhasa.
The bead features fine silver wirework, pearled wire, and granulation work.
A similarly large but less complex example is illustrated in Geoffrey-Schneiter (2012, p. 70.)
The bead here is in fine condition. The contrast between the gilding and the silver is especially beautiful. The unusual form with all the turquoise marks this bead out as particularly special and early. There is good wear and a wonderful patina.
References
Casey Singer, J., Gold Jewelry from Tibet and Nepal, Thames & Hudson, 1996.
Geoffrey-Schneiter, B., Bijoux des Toits du Monde de la Chine au Caucase, Foundation Baur, Musee des Artes D’Extreme-Orient/5 Continents, 2012.
Ghose, M. (ed.), Vanishing Beauty: Asian Jewelry and Ritual Objects from the Barbara and David Kipper Collection, Art Institute of Chicago, 2016.
Seiwert, W.D., Jewellery from the Orient: Treasures from the Bir Collection, Arnoldsche Art Publishers, 2009.
