Armlet, One of a Pair

Unknown

19th century · Silver; cast and chased · Islamic Art

This type of armband (vanki) is in a style that is referred to as swami. Swami metalwork and jewels were produced in southern India during the mid- to late nineteenth century and are characterized by micro-repoussage depictions of the Hindu pantheon of deities. Here, the god Krishna plays the flute and is flanked by animals and gopis (milkmaids). The most well-known swami metalwork was produced in Madras by the Anglo-Indian Company P. Orr & Sons. Mail-order catalogues produced by this firm facilitated the circulation of swami metal objects and jewelry to places as far away as England, the United States, and Australia.

Artist

Unknown

Date

19th century

Medium

Silver; cast and chased

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Bequest of Stephen Whitney Phoenix, 1881