Ceremonial Necklace for Nandi Sculpture

CultureIndian

Date19th century

MediumSilver with rubies

DimensionsOverall: 44 1/2 inches (113.03 cm)

Credit LinePurchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust through the Oriental Deaccession Fund, Gertrude H. Thomas Unitrust and Jeanne McCray Beals and National Endowment for the Humanities Endowment for the South and Southeast Asian Art Department

Object number2010.24

On View

On view

Gallery Location

Collections

South and Southeast Asian Art

Terms

DescriptionThis sumptuous large-scale necklace is similar to a Malligai Arumbu Malai, or Jasmine Bud Necklace, called such because each element resembles the spiky bud of the Arabian jasmine flower (jasminium sambac). Here, the necklace is comprised of twenty-one silver segments connected with a braided black rope and arranged into a sunburst circle. Each segment includes a rounded base with a conical spire finishing in a knob at the tip. The rounded portions resemble dried rudraksha seeds, literally the "tears of Shiva," which are traditionally strung together for use in Hindu prayer. The raised design on each suggests an individual kirtimukha, or face of glory. Three cabochon rubies indicate the eyes and nose, with the silver spire as an extended tongue. A ridge of rounded and pointed protrusions runs along the central portion of the face, leaving two smooth sections for the kirtimukha's bulging cheeks. Two additional rings flanking each face appear as ears and serve as the transition from one segment to the next.

This impressive ornament would have encircled the neck of a large-scale sculpture of Nandi, the bull traditionally associated with the Hindu god Shiva. Nandi may be depicted with Shiva, his consort Parvati, or the two together on his back, or he may appear alone as a figure worthy of devotion by virtue of his affiliation with the gods. To mark his elevated status Nandi may be adorned with sculpted or separately added jewelry.

Exhibition History

Exhibition History

Nancy Weiner Gallery, New York, Spring 2010, no cat.

Collecting for Kansas City, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri, June 9, 2012-August 12, 2012, no cat.

Gallery Label

This ornament once encircled the neck of a large sculpture of Nandi, the devoted bull companion of the Hindu god Shiva. Sculptures of Nandi were frequently honored through decorations of jewelry, flowers and pigment.

The necklace combines several symbolic forms. The conical points refer to the spiky buds of jasmine flowers. The round, knobby tops resemble dried rudraksha seeds, which are strung together as beads for use in Hindu prayer. Finally, three rubies form the eyes and nose of a kirtimukha, or face of glory, on each segment.

Provenance

With Nancy Wiener Gallery, New York, by 2009;

Purchased from Nancy Wiener Gallery by The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, 2010.

Published References

No additional published references known at this time.

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