Bracelet (Kada), One of a Pair

Unknown

19th century · Gold · Islamic Art

This gold bracelet is one of pair and has been fabricated in openwork gold. It culminates with two facing makara or dragon heads, which also serve as its clasp. Small metal pellets within the bracelet jingle when it is moved, adding a musical quality to the beauty of the piece. Such sonorous jewels are sometimes known as jhanjhan. The hinge of this bracelet is inscribed with the Chinese Shou character (longetivity) in flattened wire. This jewel was formerly in the collection of American artist and designer Lockwood de Forest (1850-1932) who purchased many jeweled objects while traveling in India between 1879-1881. Today, his collection of Indian jewelry in the Met serves as a near-comprehensive assemblage of late nineteenth century bodily adornment.

Artist

Unknown

Date

19th century

Medium

Gold

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

John Stewart Kennedy Fund, 1915