Hair / Ear Ornament, One of a Pair

Unknown

19th century · Gold and silver, imitation pearl · Islamic Art

Ornaments such as these were worn as part of an elaborate ensemble of jewels adorning the head and body of a woman. The pearl-studded, bell-shaped pendants are known as jhumkas, and are commonly found on ear ornaments of this type. The hooks surmounting these jewels would have attached to the hair or headband of the wearer, and hung along the side of her face, resting near the ears. These ornaments were 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 and silver, imitation pearl

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

John Stewart Kennedy Fund, 1915