Extraordinary pair of antique 22 carat gold, gemset and enamel earrings or ear ornaments, called Thuria / Thuriya.
Upper Assam, India
A widening tube-shape attached to a skirt in floral and foliate form.
The lower area, nearest the skirt is decorated with minakari / meena.
The most visible side of the ear ornament, is set with red gem stones probably rubies or topaz in the form of a flower.
Some of the enamel is missing
These amazing ornaments would be worn in the hugely distended holes in the lobes of women's ears
LITERATURE REFERENCE
In her book on Indian earrings, page 60-61, Waltraud Ganguly explains that the design symbolises a lotus with a heavy stem and tells us that the Victoria and Albert Museum, London owns two pairs of thuria, dated before 1880.
Measure 1 1/4 inches long. Weigh 16.4grams.
Age unknown - estimated to be at least 80 years old
Pick up from Singapore by appointment only / No shipping available
This item has spent a lifetime being used for the purpose of its creation with the original artist/user. Signs of this life lived heartily may be present on the piece in the form of stains, thread loss, loose threads, holes, tears, color run and other imperfections. Therefore the condition must be assumed to be “not” perfect. More photos of such imperfections will be provided on request.
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