
Mark Rasmussen
International Director
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Sold for US$22,000 inc. premium
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International Director
This intricate yet masculine talismanic necklace is worn by Saivite men in South India. It consists of 20 rudraksha beads (seeds of elaeocarpus ganitrus) separated by gold spacers. It is fastened around the neck with a rhombus-shaped gold clasp with a central lingam medallion flanked by paired parrots amongst the foliage. A Tamil inscription is engraved on the reverse. The necklace's large pendant is finely modeled in repoussé with two bands of repeating lingams.
Both the material and decorative motifs are closely associated with Lord Shiva. Rudraksha, meaning "Rudra's [Shiva's] teardrops" in Sanskrit, is said to have been worn by Shiva himself in the form of a garland. Worshipers believe the seed contains the energy of the recited mantra and therefore helps their spiritual development. The lingam, repetitively represented on both the pendant and the clasp, is symbolic of the power of Shiva and often used as an abstract representation of the deity himself.
The present lot compares favorably to a closely related example published in Geoffroy-Schneiter & Crick, Bijoux d'Orients lointains, Geneva, 2016, p.64-5, no.32. Also see another rudraksha necklace sold at Christie's, London, 7 April 2011, lot 286.
Provenance
Private German collection, acquired in Amsterdam, late 1980s/early 90s