AN EXCELLENT AND VERY RARE CHAM REPOUSSé GOLD DIADEM DEPICTING BRAHMA
Central Cham kingdom, classical period, 10th – 12th century. Diadems like this one were used by the Cham to crown their statues of Hindu deities, predominantly made from sandstone. The central image of this museum-quality diadem shows the Hindu god Brahma, creator of the universe. Decorative gemstones (amethyst and zircon) are inlaid above Brahma’s heads, which are also flanked on both sides by many different designs executed in repoussé.
Provenance: From an important European private collection. Acquired in Asia between 1960 and 1970. A private owner, acquired from the above.
Condition: Excellent condition with expected traces of wear and age as well as extensive soil encrustations.
Weight: 59.9 g
Dimensions: Height 9.6 cm, Width 22.6 cm
Metallurgic analysis: Fine gold content 670/1000
Literature comparison: Similar Cham diadems are published in The Zelnik Istvan Southeast Asian Gold Museum, pages 110 and 113, Budapest 2013.
Metallurgic Analysis
The data from the metallurgic analysis posted in the catalogue entry for each lot in this auction relates to the proportion of fine gold contained in the gold alloy only. It does
not relate to the gross weight of the lot, as the gross weight typically consists of the weight of the gold alloy and the weight of other materials added to the lot such as gemstones, soil encrustations, casting cores or other metals processed within the lot.