Title
Pambadam (Earring)
Year/Period
20th century
Region
Tamil Nadu, South India
Object Type
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: Refer to parts
Accession No.
2014-00319
Collection of
This gold earring known as pambadam, is worn by women in Tamil Nadu, south India. The form is both geometrical and nature inspired Triangles,squares and spheres combine in an emulation of a seated egg-laying cobra, with a tapering hood, and eyes represented by a pair of rubies. Wearing the pambadam was compulsory in some areas, and the earrings were also bride gifts given by the bride’s family. However the earrings were not transferred from generation to generation but sold and melted at the death of the owner.The wearing of the pambadam can be traced back to the 19th century although since the mid-20th century there has been a decline. Today womenadorned with the pambadam are a rare sight, even in southern India.
