Northern India or Tibet, Ladakh region, ca. early 20th century CE. A striking brass buckle ornament known as a dodchas, with an endless knot motif and strands of cowrie shells, turquoise beads, and brass bells. The ornament is a repousse openwork medallion with a central infinity knot with incised floral and geometric motifs, surrounded with a circular border of leaf patterns. The endless knot represents the eight auspicious symbols in Buddhism and is symbolic of the unending cycle of birth, suffering, and death. A fibrous cord and leather strap suspends the brass ornament from the top and a rectangular finding dangles from the bottom. Six strands of cowrie shells hang from the finding and each contains approximately fifty shells and two rounded turquoise beads. At the end of the strand is a brass bell ornament. This lovely dodchas is traditionally worn around the waist on a silk belt by the Ladakhi women. Size: 24.75" L x 3.5" W (62.9 cm x 8.9 cm)
Provenance: Mark Clayton collection, Long Beach, California, USA; Mr. Clayton is a noted African expert and collector who recently had Nigerian bronze objects from his collection featured in an exhibition at the UCLA Fowler Museum entitled "Summoning the Ancestors" (September 2018 - March 2019).
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#157545
Condition
Cracking and fraying of leather and fiber cord. Heavy patina on brass pieces. Bells still make noise. Mineral deposits on shells. Overall good condition