Enquiry about object: 4954
Pair of Indian Silver Anklets
Rajasthan, India circa 1900
diameter of each (approx.): 11cm, combined weight: 270g
Provenance
Collection of the late Paul Walter, New York, probably acquired in London; Christie's New York.
This pair of high-grade silver anklets is of tapering form and principally composed of bands of robust silver mesh. Each is decorated with dozens of small silver bells (ghunghrus) and according to Barnard (2008, p. 16), the tinkling sound that a woman’s anklets made as she approached her lover would fill him with anticipation. Such a scenario is common in Indian literature.
Each opens and has a screw which releases the two halves. The screws turn clockwise to close.
Silver anklets with multiple bells are illustrated in Hoek (2004, p. 136).
There are minor losses to the bells but otherwise, the pair is in excellent condition.
References
Barnard, N., Indian Jewellery, V&A Publishing, 2008.
Hoek, C., et al, Ethnic Jewellery: From Africa, Asia and Pacific Islands, Pepin Press, 2004.
