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An Ihi Necklace from Katmandu

Posted by Edith D on January 1, 2014 at 9:26pm

Here is an interesting piece my mother-in-law purchased from a refugee camp in Katmandu. She knew little about it, but was under the impression that it had religious significance. It is made of inferior materials...copper sheet metal with glass insets. Yet it is done so beautifully...why would someone bother to do something so beautiful in such humble materials? I would love to know from others who know more about this piece, but I think I may have some answers below....

Comments

Edith D January 1, 2014 at 9:31pm

Here is a photo of a little girl wearing one of these. She is participating in a ceremony in which she is ritually married to the Hindu god Vishnu.
Edith D January 1, 2014 at 9:36pm

According to Wikipedia, girls of the Newer tribe participate in the ihi ceremony between the ages of five and ten to ensure their fertility as adult women. Can another member confirm that my analysis of the above piece is correct????
Chantal January 1, 2014 at 9:46pm

Charming. She has great taste. And lovely stones.
Edith D January 1, 2014 at 10:06pm

Thanks Chantal....I thought it was very pretty. And it seems to be complete. I am not sure what the round pendant is for, and if it is part of the necklace or another piece. Here is the full view.
Chantal January 1, 2014 at 10:56pm

As you say the skills and inspiration are there. Sad that the Tibetan now dont have the wealth to do that in gold as it must have been done in the past.
Edith D January 2, 2014 at 2:59am

Further research indicates that these necklaces are called "tikma" and that it would have been sewn to a red fabric backing. http://local-moda.blogspot.com/2012/10/traditional-jewelry-of-newar...
Ethnic Embellishments January 2, 2014 at 3:54am

Edith, I'm going to venture a guess that the pieces of wire on the ends of the collar portion were hooks and the round piece was the clasp I can see where the collar's wire on the left side was bent, perhaps to hook it into the one on the right for a smaller neck size? Again, just a guess, but I've seen similar closures on other Asian necklaces before....
Edith D January 2, 2014 at 4:17am

Thanks Hillary! That sounds reasonable...or perhaps these pendants were used on the back of the necklace like a weight??? Frankie just posted a photo showing the pendant on the back of the necklace.
Ethnic Embellishments January 2, 2014 at 4:48am

I think that that is also a reasonable guess, though on Frankie's necklace it does look like it has more of a weight function that the round one would on yours. What does the back of the round section look like? Any more loops for hanging an additional dangle?
Edith D January 2, 2014 at 5:18am

Nope, just the 2 loops that you can see in the photo.