Pendant (Jkumka), One of a Pair

Unknown

18th–19th century · Gold · Islamic Art

The bell-shaped form of these jewels is known as jhumka. Typically, these are found on ear ornaments, and the loop at top indicates how they originally would have been attached to a chain or a hook. The jewels would have been suspended near the ears of the wearer, and the dangling bead pendants at the bottom would have made a soft noise as the wearer moved. This ornament was formerly in the collection of American artist and designer Lockwood de Forest (1850–1932) who purchased many items while traveling in India between 1879–1881. He collected many different examples of jewelry from India, including several of the same type. Today, his assemblage in the Met serves as a near-comprehensive study collection of Indian jewelry from the late nineteenth century.

Artist

Unknown

Date

18th–19th century

Medium

Gold

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

John Stewart Kennedy Fund, 1915