Rare ritual water buffalo necklace · South India, Tamil Nadu, Nilgiri Hills, Toda · ID: 3052030
Starting price
EUR 500
Estimated price
EUR 1,000
Provenance
German Private Collection, MunichSize
L: 259 cm
D: 38 cm (shell discs)
L: 102.0 inch
D: 15.0 inch (shell discs)
Description
silver, cowrie shells, textile fibers,
This elaborately and exquisitely crafted ornament was used to adorn water buffaloes during secret ritual occasions.
The cowrie-shell discs were reportedly attached to the horns, while the necklace hung between the animal’s forelegs.
The Toda people are a simple, pastoral community. They are not wealthy, and traditionally, water buffalo necklaces such as this example are the most important jewels that the community possessed.
Comparing literature
Borel, France, Schmuck, Kostbarkeiten aus Afrika, Asien, Ozeanien und Amerika aus der Sammlung Ghysels, Speyer 1999, p. 156