
Mark Rasmussen
International Director
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Sold for US$10,000 inc. premium
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International Director
西藏 十九世紀 銀質鑲嵌松綠石胸飾
These brooches, known as 'mooneaters' (cheppu), were worn by high Tibetan dignitaries until the late 1940s, and are among the most sought-after pieces of Tibetan jewelry. It is comprised of a kirtimukha ('face of glory') surmounting a disc (moon) with concentric bands of turquoise. Backed by silver, and using stones of a deeper green hue, it is simpler and likely predates more elaborate examples of gold and sky-blue turquoise that gave rise to sumptuary laws imposed in the 1920s by the 13th Dalai Lama Trinle Gyatso, banning an expense of than 25,000 rupees on any one item of jewelry.
Provenance
Serkhung Royal Family
Private Long Island Collection, acquired directly from the above, 1970s
New York Private Collection, c.2010
Private New York Collection
Please note the item's metallic elements are comprised of copper and not silver.