A silver and enamel head ornament made in western Tibet and Northern India and used in western Tibet, ca. 1960-70

A silver and enamel head ornament consisting of three round silver convex disks ornamented with a design of flowers and foliage set against blue enamel. The central boss is decorated with a wheel design set against blue enamel, between the three larger disks are suspended two smaller star shaped disks also decorated with blue enamel. From each disk hangs a silver plate to which five lines of chain are attached which join all three disks. From the lower chain hang small triangular silver plates. From the central boss hangs a crescent itself hung with small bells.

The silverwork was produced in Ngari, Tibet, while the enamel was from Nurpur in Northern India.

This silver head ornament has enamelled disks and chains hung with pipal leaf shaped pendants. It was made in Nurpur, Kangra District, northern India. Nurpur's proximity to the Tibetan border and the regular cross border trade that occured between the regions was a factor in the adoption of such Indian items by the women of Ngari, western Tibet for their traditional outfits.

IS.10-1999