Pendant

Unknown

19th century · Gold · Islamic Art

Detailed granulation is known from Indian jewelry since antiquity. This elongated jewel may have been part of a necklace or a bazuband (upper arm band). The cylindrical shape references an amuletic form, that often held rolled-up papers with blessings or other protective words. This jewel 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

19th century

Medium

Gold

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

John Stewart Kennedy Fund, 1915