Lot 71 Details

Absolute Auction of Indian Art & Collectibles 15-16 May 2013

T V Santhosh

Untitled

Watercolour on paper

22.5 x 30 in

Winning bid
$4,574
Rs 2,37,840
(Inclusive of buyer's premium)

Lot 101 Details

Auction 2004 (December) 30 Nov-2 Dec 2004

Manu Parekh

Temples in Moon...

Oil on canvas

35 x 35 in

Winning bid
$5,286
Rs 2,37,845
(Inclusive of buyer's premium)

Lot 24 Details

Auction of Fine Jewels 7-8 October 2008

A PAIR OF EMERALD, BLACK ONYX AND DIAMOND EAR CLIPS    

Winning bid
$5,348
Rs 2,37,964
(Inclusive of buyer's premium)

Lot 71 Details

Summer Online Auction 6-7 June 2017

Surendran Nair

Corollary...

Watercolour on paper

25.5 x 19.5 in

Winning bid
$3,720
Rs 2,38,080
(Inclusive of buyer's premium)

USD payment only. Why?

Lot 42 Details

Travel and Leisure Auction 29-30 July 2013

A RARE POP UP DRINKS CABINET    

Winning bid
$4,106
Rs 2,38,119
(Inclusive of buyer's premium)

Lot 102 Details

Fine Jewels, Silver and Watches 27-28 October 2021

PAIR OF LAPIS LAZULI AND DIAMOND CUFFLINKS BY ASPREY    

Winning bid
$3,220
Rs 2,38,280
(Inclusive of buyer's premium)

USD payment only. Why?

Lot 56 Details

Art and Collectibles Online Auction 27-28 July 2016

GEMSET...

Twin birds mirror each other, set with...

View Dimensions Temple jewellery, as the name implies, originated from the practice of adorning idols of gods and goddesses in temples. It was at a peak during the reign of the Pallavas (circa 600 - 850 AD) and the Cholas (circa 850 - 1150 AD), who amassed huge amounts of wealth and lavished the temples they built with ornaments made of gold and precious stones. This practice continued into the 20th century, when writer Oppi Untracht, who travelled extensively across India, observed that, "Founders of and donors to a Hindu temple customarily also presented ornaments for use in the decoration of installed deity images. Fixed and movable processional images were provided with sets of jewelry for all body parts. Gifts like these are recorded in epigraphic inscriptions at famous temples in Chidambaram, Kanchipuram, Madurai, Srirangam, Thanjavur, Thiruvanamalai, and others... All donated jewelry is loosely included in the category of temple jewelry. Strictly speaking, however, only the jewelry commissioned specifically for use on a deity image can properly be so designated... From the priest's point of view, temple jewelry embodies a religious theatricality that is designed to give the devotee a dazzling impression of a deity's otherworldly grandeur." (Oppi Untracht, Traditional Jewelry of India, London: Thames and Hudson Ltd., 1997, pp. 193, 195)

Over time, temple jewellery came to refer to the traditional, classic jewellery worn by Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dancers at temples. Soon, anyone who was willing to pay a premium to have such jewellery customised for their needs came to possess pieces which were singular in quality. Made only by the most skilled craftsmen following a meticulous process, temple jewellery displays exemplary craftsmanship and finesse. Tailored to the needs of the client, it could take anywhere between a few months to a year to finish working on a piece, depending on how elaborately crafted it is and how many pieces are made for a customer. Emeralds, pearls, rubies, diamonds and other precious stones set in gold are popular choices for such jewellery.

Temple jewellery is identified through motifs that borrow from both religion and nature. Earrings, necklaces such as the manga malai, hair, hip and feet ornaments, pendants bearing figures of gods from the Hindu pantheon and mythical beings such as the gandaberunda and keertimukha, are typical.

Winning bid
$3,611
Rs 2,38,326
(Inclusive of buyer's premium)

Lot 41 Details

Spring Auction 2005 1-2 March 2005

Akbar Padamsee

Untitled

Charcoal on paper

19.5 x 12.5 in

Winning bid
$5,544
Rs 2,38,392
(Inclusive of buyer's premium)