A fine and large gem-set gold rudraksha bead necklace (gowrishankaram) Tamil Nadu, 19th Centurycomprising a large ruby-set gold pendant decorated in openwork with copper backing, with a central depiction of Shiva Nataraja flanked by figures including Parvati and celestial musicians, the pendant surmounted by three finials set with pearls and green paste, inscriptions to reverse, a gold amulet box suspended below, decorated in repoussé with lingam motifs and bordered by openwork scrolling vines, set with rubies and surmounted by a central diamond, with three terminals in the form of temple spires, the pendant suspended on a necklace of rudraksha beads alternating with gold spacers, the ruby-set gold clasp decorated in openwork with copper backing, with a central depiction of Subrahmanya atop a peacock, flanked by consorts, inscriptions to reverse, gold tested as 21-22 carat 58 cm. total length, the pendant and amulet box 20.5 cm. total length; 432 g.FootnotesInscriptions: to the reverse of clasp, Sivamayam Cēvu. Ṟāma [Cēvukaṉ Rāmacami / Rāmanātaṉ / Rāmaiyā], (Reverence to Ganapathi); to the reverse of pendant, Sivamayam Cēvu. Ṟāma [Cēvukaṉ Rāmacami / Rāmanātaṉ / Rāmaiyā], the 23rd of Āvaṉi, in the year Piramātīca [1810-11?], a gowrisangam, front face and back face, etc., pavuṉ (sovereign) gold, 62/92 vīcam. The gowrishankaram is an important neck ornament originating in Tamil Nadu, worn by men over the age of eighteen and by Shaivite priests. The term gowrishankaram refers to both Shiva (Shankara) and his consort Parvati (Gowri), with the necklace symbolising the union between male and female. As Shiva and Parvati's son, it is also apt to see Subrahmanya (Kartikeya), included in the decorative programme of the present lot. Rudraksha themselves have a connection to Shiva, meaning 'Rudra's [Shiva's] teardrops' in Sanskrit, and believed to have been worn on a garland by the deity. A hollow amulet is incorporated within these necklaces as a portable shrine, allowing the wearer to place within it a small votary object. Two similar examples are in the Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore (2011-02275) and (1995-00896). For a similar example sold by Christie's see Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, 7 April 2011, lot 286. For a rudraksha necklace sold by Bonhams New York, see Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian Art, Including Selections from the Elizabeth and Willard Clark Collection, 19 March 2018, lot 3077.Saleroom noticesPlease note the following additional notes regarding provenance for this lot: Provenance: F. John Barlow. Published: The F. John Barlow Mineral Collection, Appleton, Wisconsin, Sanco Pub. Appleton 1996, pp. 177-178 and plate.
A fine and large gem-set gold rudraksha bead necklace (gowrishankaram) Tamil Nadu, 19th Centurycomprising a large ruby-set gold pendant decorated in openwork with copper backing, with a central depiction of Shiva Nataraja flanked by figures including Parvati and celestial musicians, the pendant surmounted by three finials set with pearls and green paste, inscriptions to reverse, a gold amulet box suspended below, decorated in repoussé with lingam motifs and bordered by openwork scrolling vines, set with rubies and surmounted by a central diamond, with three terminals in the form of temple spires, the pendant suspended on a necklace of rudraksha beads alternating with gold spacers, the ruby-set gold clasp decorated in openwork with copper backing, with a central depiction of Subrahmanya atop a peacock, flanked by consorts, inscriptions to reverse, gold tested as 21-22 carat 58 cm. total length, the pendant and amulet box 20.5 cm. total length; 432 g.FootnotesInscriptions: to the reverse of clasp, Sivamayam Cēvu. Ṟāma [Cēvukaṉ Rāmacami / Rāmanātaṉ / Rāmaiyā], (Reverence to Ganapathi); to the reverse of pendant, Sivamayam Cēvu. Ṟāma [Cēvukaṉ Rāmacami / Rāmanātaṉ / Rāmaiyā], the 23rd of Āvaṉi, in the year Piramātīca [1810-11?], a gowrisangam, front face and back face, etc., pavuṉ (sovereign) gold, 62/92 vīcam. The gowrishankaram is an important neck ornament originating in Tamil Nadu, worn by men over the age of eighteen and by Shaivite priests. The term gowrishankaram refers to both Shiva (Shankara) and his consort Parvati (Gowri), with the necklace symbolising the union between male and female. As Shiva and Parvati's son, it is also apt to see Subrahmanya (Kartikeya), included in the decorative programme of the present lot. Rudraksha themselves have a connection to Shiva, meaning 'Rudra's [Shiva's] teardrops' in Sanskrit, and believed to have been worn on a garland by the deity. A hollow amulet is incorporated within these necklaces as a portable shrine, allowing the wearer to place within it a small votary object. Two similar examples are in the Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore (2011-02275) and (1995-00896). For a similar example sold by Christie's see Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, 7 April 2011, lot 286. For a rudraksha necklace sold by Bonhams New York, see Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian Art, Including Selections from the Elizabeth and Willard Clark Collection, 19 March 2018, lot 3077.Saleroom noticesPlease note the following additional notes regarding provenance for this lot: Provenance: F. John Barlow. Published: The F. John Barlow Mineral Collection, Appleton, Wisconsin, Sanco Pub. Appleton 1996, pp. 177-178 and plate.
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
