Important Notice

Gold

20th century
Tamil Nadu


Pambadam earrings have commonly adorned women in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala since the 19th century. In line with the deep-rooted traditions of serpent worship in the region, the unique shape of earring represents a stylised egg-laying 'pamba' (Tamil for snake), sitting on her nest, head erect and hood wide spread. The large applied gold balls on the earrings represent the snake's 'spectacle' markings. Before 1940, wearing pambadam earrings was an almost mandatory custom and they were given by parents to their daughters before marriage as a display of wealth and prestige. Made using wax-filled gold, the earrings are traditionally worn in distended lobes. The size of the earrings used to depend on the means of the wearer.


Gold

20th century
Tamil Nadu


Pambadam earrings have commonly adorned women in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala since the 19th century. In line with the deep-rooted traditions of serpent worship in the region, the unique shape of earring represents a stylised egg-laying 'pamba' (Tamil for snake), sitting on her nest, head erect and hood wide spread. The large applied gold balls on the earrings represent the snake's 'spectacle' markings. Before 1940, wearing pambadam earrings was an almost mandatory custom and they were given by parents to their daughters before marriage as a display of wealth and prestige. Made using wax-filled gold, the earrings are traditionally worn in distended lobes. The size of the earrings used to depend on the means of the wearer.