Page 172 - Himalayan Art Macrh 19 2018 Bonhams

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A GOLD AND RUDRAKSHA NECKLACE Both the material and decorative motifs are closely associated with
TAMIL NADU, 19TH CENTURY Lord Shiva. Rudraksha, meaning “Rudra’s [Shiva’s] teardrops” in
Gold pendant: 2 3/8 x 2 in. (6.6 x 5 cm) Sanskrit, is said to have been worn by Shiva himself in the form of a
Rudraksha chain and gold clasp: 21 in. (53.3 cm) long 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
$20,000 - 30,000
of the power of Shiva and often used as an abstract representation of
the deity himself.
This intricate yet masculine talismanic necklace is worn by Saivite men
in South India. It consists of 20 rudraksha beads (seeds of elaeocarpus The present lot compares favorably to a closely related example
ganitrus) separated by gold spacers. It is fastened around the neck published in Geoffroy-Schneiter & Crick, Bijoux d’Orients lointains,
with a rhombus-shaped gold clasp with a central lingam medallion Geneva, 2016, p.64-5, no.32. Also see another rudraksha necklace
flanked by paired parrots amongst the foliage. A Tamil inscription sold at Christie’s, London, 7 April 2011, lot 286.
is engraved on the reverse. The necklace’s large pendant is finely
modeled in repoussé with two bands of repeating lingams. Provenance
Private German collection, acquired in Amsterdam, late 1980s/early 90s

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