Indian Plaque Amulet Depicting Durga on Lion

Stocky animal and rider emerge from a soft-edged arch of worn gray surface.

This plaque amulet depicting Durga on a lion is Hindu, from Rajasthan, India. It is coin silver. Coin silver, an alloy of silver with a little copper, was widely used for jewelry in Rajasthan, where silversmiths have long worked in the metal. Irregular plaque with a looped top and sloping shoulders. A tall figure sits atop a broad-chested animal, with spread arms and a simple cloak-like shape, all rendered in low relief and rubbed smooth. It is 0.5 inches long and 0.75 high.

Plainly drawn, soundly seated, and calmly in charge.