Jewellery, Watches and Objects of Vertu

A pair of Indian hinged bangles, with twin makara head terminals to either side of the screw thread clasp, the bangles with applied clusters of beaded decoration, gold and with inner lac filled core, inner diameter 4.8cm, outer diameter 6.5cm. £900-£1,200

The bangle has traditionally been the primary ornament worn by Indian women. The use of ‘lac’ filling was widely used since ancient times - Lac is produced by a unique insect (Tachardia lacca), indigenous to Indian forests, and is secreted by the female, and is the only natural resin of animal origin. The lac - naturally a reddish colour, is used in a compound form to fill the core of hollow constructed parts of gold and silver jewellery to preserve its shape and prevent denting from impact during use.

See: Untracht, O., Traditional Jewelry of India, Thames & Hudson, 1997, page 172.