Arts of the Islamic World
Arts of the Islamic World
Auction Closed
October 23, 04:16 PM GMT
Estimate
2,000 - 3,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
TWO GOLD ENAMELLED PENDANTS, NORTH INDIA, 19TH CENTURY
both in polychrome enamels, one depicting a nobleman with floral bouquet, the other a Vishnupada depicting the footprints of the deity
(2)
3.3 by 2.7cm; 2.8 by 2.8cm.
Oppi Untracht outlines the significance of the sacred, side-by-side footprint amulets in India: "It came into use for worship among Hindus and Buddhists to symbolize the deity's presence. Several Hindu gods, and Buddha, have been and are represented by such a symbol. Carved in stone, or formed in metal, the footprints depict what appears to be an impression of the soles of the standing deity's feet, upon which appear several symbols, all with specific reference to that deity". A similar example is in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford (O. Untracht, Traditional Jewellery of India, London, 1997, p.107, no.177).