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Comments

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  Zareen Smith July 2, 2013 at 3:55pm

  A bit more info:  This necklace appears very brassy on the front, but less so on the back.  The stones appear to be coral, but I may be mistaken.  This piece is not heavy.  The only thing that I can find that might help in any way is that the puffy cheeked 'monster' faces in the center of each plaque appear to be similar to those found in pieces from Newar/Kathmandu area of Nepal.  Thanks for any help!
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  Thelma July 2, 2013 at 8:05pm

  Yes, this 'monster' mask is the image of Kirtimukka, 'Face of Glory', known as Chepu amongst the Newar craftsmen in the Kathmandu Valley. A number of these pieces were brought back by tourists in the 1960s and 70s. I think the type of work - fitting the stones into the cloisons and carving the tiny coral faces - is called jarao. Many of the pieces I've seen have meditating buddhas instead of Chepus. This one looks as if it is in excellent condition. So many have lost pieces of inlay.
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  Zareen Smith July 2, 2013 at 9:12pm

  That is a lot more info than I started with, so thanks VERY much Thelma!
  
  Do you know what metal this might be made of?  Is it possibly brass?  
  
  
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  Thelma July 3, 2013 at 8:30am

  Not sure about the metal of the little plates here, Zareen. On the necklaces that use precious stones, such as rubies, as inlay, the metal is gilded silver. It might be worth having this one tested.
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  Zareen Smith July 3, 2013 at 7:36pm

  Thanks so very much!