Indian Plaque Amulet Depicting Naga

A cobra rising from a perfect spiral, with the sun and moon looking on.

This plaque amulet depicting Naga is Hindu, from Rajasthan, India, made of coin silver. In Rajasthan, the serpent is commonly honored as a guardian, and Naga amulets are generally worn for protection against snakebite and misfortune. A hooded cobra rears from a tight coil at the center, flanked by small figures with a crescent moon at the left and a radiant sun at the right. A pot sits at the top, leafy plants spring from below, and a ring of beads and gadroons frames the scene. The silver is softly worn and scratched along the broad rim. It is 2.75 inches long and 3 high.

The snake has clearly been given the best seat in the house.