Gem-Inset Gold Nagaraja (Snake King) Hair Ornament
Date19th century
PeriodBritish India/Princely States
MediumGold, diamonds, emeralds, rubies
DimensionsOverall: 3 x 2 1/2 in. (7.6 x 6.4cm)
ClassificationsJewelry
Credit LineGift of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. Courtesy of the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art.
Object number57.68
DescriptionThis jewel-encrusted serpent is part of a jadainagam (or “hair-snake”). This type of hair ornament decorates a woman’s braid, or plait, and was worn by brides and Bharatnatyam dancers in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The now-missing upper portion of the ornament representing the sun and moon would have affixed to the back of the wearer’s head. The serpent ornament (nagar) would have been fastened to the nape of her neck, followed by a long, jeweled ornament (jadai) running down the length of her braid and ending in a tassel (kunjalam).On View
On viewCollections
19th - 20th century
19th century
19th - 20th century
