Bracelet (Bazuband), One of a Pair

Jewelry in India was not restricted to wealthy members of society, but rather produced with varying materials to appeal to a range of economic classes. This pair of armlets, or bazubands were made from silver, embellished colored threads and green glass beads, and would have been owned by someone of modest means. Such jewels were worn on the upper bicep, and the tassels with green beads would have embellished the back of the arm.


This ornament was formerly in the collection of American artist and designer Lockwood de Forest (1850–1932) who purchased many items while traveling in India between 1879–1881. He collected many different examples of jewelry from India, including several of the same type. Today, his assemblage in the Met serves as an in-depth study collection of Indian jewelry from the late nineteenth century.