Jasmine bud necklace

Detail of a pattern
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At A Glance

On View
  • Period

    late 19th-early 20th century
  • Geography

    Tamil Nadu state, India
  • Material

    Gold and red semi-precious stones
  • Dimension

    H (overall): 92 cm (36 1/4 in)
  • Accession Number

    F1990.4
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1990.4

Object Details

  • Description

    A large necklace comprised of 100 stylized repousse gold jasmine buds linked by small cabuchon semi-precious red stones (or colored glass) to a running foliate border.
  • Label

    This unusually large necklace reproduces in gold a garland of closed jasmine buds, each adorned with a semiprecious stone. A necklace of this size, weighing over a pound (456 grams), would have been a valuable part of a bride's dowry, or a special offering to a temple image.
  • Provenance

    ?-1990
    Mallett at Bourdon House Limited (Mr. J. S. Yorke), London, England, method of acquisition unknown [1]
    From 1990
    Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Mallett at Bourdon House Limited [2]
    Notes:
    [1] See invoice from Mallet at Bourdon House Limited to the Freer Gallery of Art, dated February 13, 1990, invoice number BH19406, copy in object file. See also account statement from Mallett at Bourdon House to the Freer Gallery of Art, dated March 20, 1990, copy in object file. The statement includes two outstanding invoices, one of which is invoice number BH19406 from February 13, 1990.
    Mallett at Bourdon House Limited was a dealer in London associated with Mallett & Son Antiques, London (1865-2017), established in 1962 at the Bourdon House in Mayfair. Mallett at Bourdon House specialized in antique furniture, fine art, and accessories from Europe; however, they also sold Chinese ceramics, Chinese and Japanese lacquer, and Indian jewelry. The business closed in 2007 and some of the remaining stock was sold at Sotheby’s in March 2007.
    [2] See Freer Gallery of Art “Acquisition Consideration Form,” approved on March 21, 1990, copy in object file.
    Research updated February 24, 2023
  • Collection

    Freer Gallery of Art Collection
  • Exhibition History

    Body Image (October 14, 2017 - ongoing)
    Arts of the Indian Subcontinent and the Himalayas (October 16, 2004 to January 3, 2016)
    South Asian Sculpture (February 22, 2000 to June 18, 2003)
    South and South East Asian Art (May 9, 1993 to February 7, 2000)
  • Previous custodian or owner

    Mallett at Bourdon House Limited (1962-2007)
  • Origin

    Tamil Nadu state, India
  • Credit Line

    Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment and funds provided by Rajinder K. Keith and Narinder K. Keith
  • Type

    Jewelry and Ornament
  • On View

    Freer Gallery 01: Body Image: Arts of the Indian Subcontinent
  • Restrictions and Rights

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