Ear Ornament
ca. 1870 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The large section of this gold ornament clips onto the outer curve of the ear, while the chain would be attached to the wearer's hair. The ornament uses a type of cut work almost certainly derived from European cut-steel jewellery of the late 18th century. The facets cut into the steel would help the metal reflect light. The fashion in Europe for this sort of ornament continued into the 19th century but lost its appeal in about 1850. This ornament was probably one of a pair.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Gold, pierced and chased, with cutwork and filigree |
| Brief description | Ear ornament (kanphata), Calcutta, about 1870 |
| Physical description | The main body of the 'Kan pasha' is partially ear shaped and is designed to clip on to the outer curve of the ear. A mythical bird which hooks to the hair, is linked to the main part by means of a chain of rosettes. The 'Kan pasha' also has a similar bird at the linkage point. The pattern of the main body included cut-work and several small pendants or 'jhumkas' on the outer edge. The 'cut-work' copied from European patterns has been used successfully. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Acquired from the Annual International Exhibition, London 1872. |
| Summary | The large section of this gold ornament clips onto the outer curve of the ear, while the chain would be attached to the wearer's hair. The ornament uses a type of cut work almost certainly derived from European cut-steel jewellery of the late 18th century. The facets cut into the steel would help the metal reflect light. The fashion in Europe for this sort of ornament continued into the 19th century but lost its appeal in about 1850. This ornament was probably one of a pair. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 995-1872 |
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| Record created | February 27, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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