ear pendants

Pair of turquoise and brass ear pendants of the 'akor' or lotus bud style. Formed of three brass shapes set one above the other, inlaid with pieces of turquoise. The top shape is in the form of a lotus bud or 'akor', the middle one is circular and the lower shape is like a four-petalled flower around a centre, the lower petal slightly elongated and pointing downwards. The reverse of the top piece has two bent metal wires. The lower two pieces are set back so as to hang inside the upper piece.

This type of ear ornament was popular in Lhasa and Central Tibet, hung facing forwards so the stones are clearly visible. Because they are heavy, they are either attached to a headdress or hung over the head. Turquoise is found in Tibet and, apart from being a beautiful and valuable adornment, is also believed to have amuletic and medicinal properties. It is said to avert the evil eye and remove toxins from the body. Its healing properties are said to include the alleviation of poisoning and all heat diseases associated with the liver.

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
37.139
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall (37.139i): 86 mm x 30 mm x 22 mm; overall (37.139ii): 86 mm x 31 mm x 21 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
brass; copper alloy; turquoise
CATEGORY
Anthropology: Ethnography
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