Antique Indian jewellery - Necklace and Armband on display, in Tamil Nadu

From the archive record

Gowri - Shankaram is a necklace made up of gold, Rudraksha beads, rubies, and diamonds. It is from Chettinad, Tamil Nadu from 19th century. Vanki is a Armband from 19th century from Tamil Nadu. It is made up of gold and ruby. Necklace (kaluthiru) : The necklace (kaluthiru) is made up of three claw-like pendants strung on a cord with round and tubular beads. It weighs an impressive 597.7 gms. The kaluthiru the name derived from kaluthu meaning neck and uru meaning bead is the marriage necklace of the Nattukottai Chettiar community of Tamil Nadu. The claw-like pendants are believed to be modelled on shell forms or the paws of a tiger. Embellished with pyramidal architectural forms, wire work and beautifully crafted open work decoration, the three pendants are strung with fourteen gadrooned b