Description A CHAM GEMSTONE-SET GOLD REPOUSSé HAIRPIN WITH RECUMBENT ELEPHANTS
Champa, 10th-12th century. The hairpin with a finial in fine repoussé showing a recumbent elephant on both sides, each with a decorative gemstone at the top, and richly decorated with gold thread and small gold beads. Not only is the elephant the mount of the Hindu god Indra – elephant heads were also a very common architectural ornament in Cham architecture and consequently a beloved design motif in Cham jewelry.
Provenance: Ex-Collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above.
Condition: Very good condition with expected minor traces of age and wear as well as few soil encrustations.
Weight: 22.7 g
Dimensions: Length 17.9 cm
Alloy composition range: Gold 64-72 %, Silver 24-28 %, Copper 2-4 %.