Indian Plaque Amulet Depicting Boteh

A petaled boss crowns this pendant, whose leafy sprig curls toward a plump tail.

This plaque amulet depicting a boteh is Hindu, from Rajasthan, India. It is coin silver. The motif is often linked to the shape of a leaf, a seed or a cypress, and it is widely seen on Kashmir shawls and Persian cloth. Loop is round and slightly open, and the central spray of leaves rises in relief against a darkened background. The edge is a smooth raised rim, and the metal has a brown-grey patina. It is 0.5 inches long and 0.75 high.

Every curl is deliberate, even if the metal is a bit tired.