Ladakh Salmon Coral Bracelet

Ladakhis, early to mid. 20th century, Nyo or Chanthang area, Ladakh region, India.

Fantastic coral and antique silver/silvered heirloom bracelet with newer and older elements. The jewellery of Ladakh is unique and distinctive. Ladakhi woman wears a chatelaine (tsundus), and from the belt around her waist, she hangs one or a pair of a silver or brass disc (dodchas) usually bearing the endless knot of good  fortune, from which six or seven lines of cowrie shells are strung with little bells at the end. Earrings (a-long) can take different shapes. Around her neck she wears one, two or three necklaces (skecha). One is typically an amulet of silver or gold and set with turquoise or coral hung on a string of pearls. A second necklace may be of strands of coral, turquoise, amber, and mother-of-pearl beads. A third may consist of a series of small silver amulets, oval in shape and joined together by a strand of small coral beads. Around her wrists she wears a pair of conch-shell bracelets (tunglak).

The delicate bracelet is elaborately decorated with rectangular patterned coin silver (untested) spacers (12), four rows of fine tubular orange/salmon coral beads (61) and small round silver beads (28). The bracelet is finished with a hook and ring. Excellent condition. Age-related minimal wear and signs of use. Size approx. 20,5cm x 2,1cm. 

Provenance: Finnish private collection

References and further reading:

Jewellery in Ladakh, Sahapedia, Published on: 17 March 2021.(https://www.sahapedia.org/jewellery-ladakh)