India, Rajasthan, Bikaner, 19th century


SKU: C11

The square pendant in the center is supported at the sides with multistrands of glass seed beads. The square pendant is decorated with a design of flowers, the centre is decorated with a design of a sun symbol, flanked by two peacocks.

These figures are set with rock crystal on foil. The roundings of the figures are decorated with small basra pearls. This traditional necklace is presented to a bride as an auspicious gift.
This exceptionally large Nimboli is a traditional wedding jewel. It is presented to a bride as an auspicious gift.
At the sides it is typically supported with multistrands of glass seeds beads.
Making glass seed beads is a typical craftmanship of Rajasthan.
The original Rajput, the first inhabitants of Rajasthan, believed they were descendants of the Moon and the Sun. Distiction was made between the Lunar and Solar race. The people from the solar line were ruled by Lord Rama. The people from the Lunar line stood under the rule of Lord Krishna. The house of Bikaner are descendants in the solar line, hence the sun symbol.

As the traditional inhabitants of Rajasthan are a fierce full people, it is no surprise they identify themselves with the peacock, the vehicle of Kartikeya, the Invincible God of War


Literature
Untracht, Oppi Traditional Jewelry of India, page 231
Catalogue Gioielli dall’India, page 109
Gelder, Bernadette van Traditional Indian Jewellery; The Golden Smile of India, page 54-55