Amulet Box and Necklace
early 20th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
A square Lhasa style women's amulet box or ga'u with attached necklace of coral, imitation jade, imitation glass dzi beads and real etched agate dzi beads. Real dzi are highly prized by Tibetans for their believed protective powers. They are thought by many Tibetans to be of divine origin while western scholars tentatively assign them to the prehistoric period. The authentic stone dzi are the browner beads which contrast with the more starkly contrasting black and white glass imitations.
Object details
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Copper gilt and etched agate |
| Brief description | with necklace attached; Jewellery, glass, Bhutan, C20th. |
| Physical description | A necklace of real and imitation etched agate beads (dzi), imitation jade and coral beads. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Object history | This necklace is part of a complete Tibetan-style costume from the foothills of Bhutan and is typical of many in its combination of real and imitation beads. The real chalcedony dzi are the browner beads towards the top, the others are black and white glass imitations. Jade has been simulated by green glass while marble stained red and waxed imitates Italian coral. |
| Production | The Bhutan hills |
| Summary | A square Lhasa style women's amulet box or ga'u with attached necklace of coral, imitation jade, imitation glass dzi beads and real etched agate dzi beads. Real dzi are highly prized by Tibetans for their believed protective powers. They are thought by many Tibetans to be of divine origin while western scholars tentatively assign them to the prehistoric period. The authentic stone dzi are the browner beads which contrast with the more starkly contrasting black and white glass imitations. |
| Bibliographic reference | John Clarke: Jewellery of Tibet and Himalayas, V&A Publications
ISBN 1 85177 4238, 2004, page 28 no.16. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IM.121F-1923 |
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| Record created | January 7, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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