Indian Bracelet: Silver Cuff

Two creatures meet nose to nose at the opening, and neither seems ready to back down.

This silver cuff bracelet comes from Rajasthan, India. Heavy silver bangles with ornamented terminals have long been worn across Rajasthan, where jewelry often served as both adornment and portable family wealth. The hoop is covered in rows of small pointed pyramids, framed by bands of scalloped engraving. At the open ends, two animal heads face each other, built up in fine granulation and twisted wire, with scrolling crests curling over their tops. Ribbed collars mark where heads meet hoop, and the silver shows a soft, darkened patina.

A bracelet with two guards on permanent duty.