Tibetan Amber Necklace

A necklace of coral, amber, turquoise and silver beads, suspending a large amber pendant in a silver mount. The pendant is a single piece of amber, irregular in outline, held in a silver mount with a serrated edge. On each side, the strand is built in sections: silver barrel beads set with turquoise cabochons, a large turquoise bead inlaid with coral, amber rondelles, and smaller coral beads toward the neck, separated by granulated silver spacers. Coral beads set in silver flank the pendant. The strand closes at the back with a turquoise bead. The amber shows natural variation in tone, from honey to deep orange. The silver carries a darkened, worn patina.

Tibetan necklaces of this type are built around a single large central element. Coral, amber, turquoise and silver are arranged symmetrically along the strand.

From the Felice Maffei Collection, acquired in Thailand during a cultural jewellery fair, 1981.

Title

Tibetan Amber Necklace

Origin

Tibet

Date

19th–20th century

Dimensions

L 56 cm (22.0 in)

Medium

Amber, coral, turquoise, and silver

Provenance

From the Felice Maffei Collection, acquired in Thailand during a cultural jewellery fair, 1981.

Condition

Surface worn. Silver stable. Patina consistent and undisturbed.