Title
Thali (A Wedding Pendant)
Year/Period
Late 19th–early 20th century
Region
Tamil Nadu, South India
Object Type
wedding pendants, pendants (jewelry)
Material
Gold
Dimension
Object size: 7.7 x 4.4 x 4 cm
Accession No.
2013-00162
Collection of
NLB Type
Goldwork
The thali is the principal marriage ornament or auspicious amulet placed on the wedding necklace. It is one of the most important symbols of marriage. Derived from the local term for palmyra (thala), this Sanskrit term thali makes reference to the ancient custom of tying strips of palm leaf around the neck of a married woman indicating her married status.This marriage ornament would have been worn by women of the Chettiar community in the Tiruchirapalli district. The obverse is of elongated shape with floral, spherical and cylindrical elements while the reverse is with the image of Lakshmi seated on a lotus throne against an intricate floriated ground, surrounded by apsara or mythical female beings on the top.
