An Indian yellow precious metal and ruby set bangle, Madras, Tamil Nadu, the reeded circular section bangle with hinge to the reverse, with two makara-head protome terminals holding a magical ‘jewel’ (or spherical bead) in their mouths, with cabochon ruby set eyes and highlights, the bangle fastened by a vertical threaded pin, with ruby finial to the centre, the bangle being ‘lac’ filled (wax filled), gross weight 51gm, bangle internal diameter 58mm. £600-800

The ‘makara’ is a mythical sea creature in Hindu culture, combining the features of a crocodile, elephant and fish and is the vehicle of the goddess Ganga, the Ganges river personified, and Lord Varuna, the god of terrestrial water. Makara are considered to be guardians of gateways and thresholds and is a commonly recurring creature in Hindu and Buddhist temple iconography.

See: Untracht, O., Traditional Jewelry of India, Thames and Hudson, 1997, p.254, image 578.













Tweet