Description:
Antique 22 carat gold earrings looking like an amazing Art Deco sculpture, but in fact 100 year old ethnic / tribal earrings from Tamil Nadu, south India, possibly representing a stylised cobra. Made circa 1900. Approx 1 5/8 inches long. Weigh 25grams.
Known as thandatti, these earrings were worn in highly distended earlobes. All parts were handmade (and continue to be handmade by master craftsman). An excellent explanatory article on the internet by Ganguly Waltraud explains them in great detail as well as page 242 in her book on Indian earrings.
The shapes and workmanship of the earrings are stunning and throw our concept of 'modernity' into doubt. The large round balls (representing the snake's eggs) are actually the terminals of handmade screws. Tiny hinges on the opposite side beneath the triangle.
Good condition.
Good antique Mughal / Indian jewellery combines the wonders of ages gone by with amazing design and delicacy executed by outstanding craftsmen and is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain as it grows in appreciation throughout the world.
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