Tribal Himalayan necklace made with a remarkable centerpiece; a bold brass mask pendant made with the traditional Indian metal casting style known as ‘Dhokra’.
The specific metal art form known as the dhokra style can be traced back almost 4000 years and is regarded as one of the greatest heritages from the Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro civilizations. The traditional craft is nowadays still actively practiced among artisan craftsman from, for example, the Indian Damar tribe in different regions such as West Bengal and Odisha, in east and central India, Kerala in the south and Rajasthan in the north.
The dhokra metal smithing method is used to make different decorative and religious objects, such as jewelry, wallhangers and small statues and figurines. The items are made with a traditional ‘lost wax’ casting method, making each item slightly different and unique. The style of the dhokra items, which is not only still well-beloved in India, but nowadays also high-regarded among collectors in the western market, is deeply connected with its tribal identity and often shows rustic appealing folk patterns (such as men and women performing daily chores) and a close proximity with nature by using motives such as flowers and the sun.
The mask pendant used in this necklace has been cast from brass and is approximately 11,5 centimeters high and 6,5 centimeters wide.
It found its way into Nepal, where it has been used as the centerpiece for this necklace. The long, tubular beads have been made from yak bone. And also some beautiful old beads from glass and conch shell have been added. The necklace has been made with orange colored cotton cord and closes with a toggle button.
Total length (measured only the loop of the necklace, not including the length of the mask pendant) is 76 centimeters. Total weight is 202 grams.
Please note; as can be seen on the pictures, the necklace has not been strung perfectly symmetrical. On one side the little round beads next to the long tubular beads are missing. Simply forgotten by the craftsmen? Or a statement of artistic individuality? We will probably never know, but it shows all the more that this piece is truly unique.
A unique piece of tribal art, lovingly turned into an eyecatching piece of wearable jewelry.
This necklace is from vintage origin and might therefore show some signs of its age and previous usage.
