This gold ear ornament is known as a pampadam, It is worn in the earlobe by women of certain south Indian communities. It would be worn with one or two others of similar size and weight, pulling down and stretching the earlobe considerably. The remarkable semi-abstract design actually incorporates animal forms, showing the head of a snake or bird.
Physical description
Ear ornament with a representation of acobra (pambadam).
This extraordinary ornament would have been worn with one or two others of similar size and weight, thus distending the ear lobe. The semi-abstract rendering of a zoomorphic form, perhaps based on a serpent or bird, with circular eyes, is combined with a strong geometrical design.
Place of Origin
Tamil Nadu, India (made)
Date
19th century to early 20th century (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Gold
Dimensions
Height: 4.7 cm, Width: 5.7 cm max., Depth: 4 cm
Descriptive line
Pampadam, ear ornament, gold, S. India, 19th or early 20th century.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
STRONGE, Susan, Nima Smith and James Harle, A Golden Treasury. Jewellery from the Indian subcontinent, London, 1988, p.66 VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM (Hankyu Exhibition), The Art of the Indian Courts, Osaka (NHK Kinki Media Plan, V&A), 1993, p.155 PIACENTI, Kirsten Aschengreen, Susan Stronge, Cristina Del Mare, Rita Sharma et al., Gioielli dall'India dai Moghul al Novecento, La Rinascente, Milan, 1996, p.120 For other similar examples see UNTRACHT, Oppi, Traditional Jewelry of India, Thames and Hudson, London, 1997, pp.220-221 MARKEVITCH, Elizabeth (ed.),Indian Jewellery, Sotheby’s, Switzerland, 1987, p.97 Barnard, Nick. ‘Indian Jewellery : The V&A Collection’. London : V&A Publishing, 2008. ISBN 9781851774838, p.118, pl.6.14
Production Note
Probably made by the Papad Tribe of Tamil Nadu, India.
Subjects depicted
Insects
Categories
Jewellery
Collection code
SSEA
