Jasmine bud necklace

India, state of Tamil Nadu,
late 19th–early 20th century
Gold and red semiprecious stones

Purchase—Partial funds provided by Miss Narinder K. Keith and Miss Rajinder K. Keith FI990.4 Deities wear elaborate ornaments, such as those depicted on the Chola bronzes in this gallery. Many south Indian images of deities were further adorned with flower garlands and precious jewelry given by devotees to show reverence and accrue spiritual merit. This necklace replicates in gold a fragrant jasmine-bud garland.