Indian Silk Thali Necklace

Marriage, in gold, on a blue silk cord.

This thali necklace comes from Kohlapur, Maharashtra, India, and dates to the 19th century. It is 18 to 21 karat gold with rubies, on silk cord. A thali is traditionally a marriage necklace, tied at the wedding and worn afterward by the bride in many parts of India. Ribbed gold beads alternate with worked gold pendants along the blue cord. At the center hangs a round pendant ringed in tiny gold beads and topped with a ruby. Sixteen inches long.

Worn close to the throat, where vows tend to sit.