Cleveland Museum of Art

Necklace Bead in the Form of a Fish

Date: 185–72 BCE
Medium: gold repoussé with granulation
Culture: India, Shunga period (185–78 BCE)
Department: Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Institution: Cleveland Museum of Art

Jewelry in ancient India often consisted of elements associated with water, such as fish and other aquatic plants and animals. Since water is essential for life, imagery that connotes water is life-affirming, or auspicious, and therefore appropriate adornment.

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