Earring, One of a Pair

Not on view

The jhumkas or bell-shaped pendants on the lower part of these jewels are typical of earrings or ear ornaments. Traditionally, earrings were an important element of married women's adornment in India, and widows could be identified by their bare earlobes.


These ornaments were formerly in the collection of American artist and designer Lockwood de Forest (1850–1932) who purchased many jeweled objects while traveling in India between 1879–1881. Today, his collection of Indian jewelry in the Met serves as a near-comprehensive assemblage of late nineteenth century bodily adornment.

Earring, One of a Pair, Gold and glass beads

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.