Minneapolis Institute of Art
Pambadam Earrings
India (Tamil Nadu)
- Date
- 19th-20th century
- Medium
- Gold
- Department
- Asian Art
- Institution
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
The unique shape of these earrings represents an abstracted image of a cobra laying eggs on her nest. Amid the complex arrangement of geometric forms, one can discern two bulging eyes on a widespread hood. Especially in rural regions of Southern India, where these earrings were commonly worn, snakes are simultaneously revered and feared. While they signal protection, their close association with water and the earth also makes them emblems of fortune and fertility. Asia
The authoritative record is held by Minneapolis Institute of Art. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.
Related across collections
Semantically similar works from Minneapolis Institute of Art and other institutions.
Earring
Cleveland Museum of Art
Earring
Cleveland Museum of Art
Earring
Cleveland Museum of Art
Earring
Cleveland Museum of Art
Pair of Earrings with Four-Armed Vishnu Riding Garuda with Nagas (serpent divinities)
Cleveland Museum of Art
Earring with Four-Armed Vishnu Riding Garuda with Nagas (serpent divinities)
Cleveland Museum of Art
Earring with Four-Armed Vishnu Riding Garuda with Nagas (serpent divinities)
Cleveland Museum of Art
Pair of Earrings (Karanphul Jhumkas)
Art Institute of Chicago
Pair of naga finials
Cleveland Museum of Art
Pair of Deity Earrings with Vishnu on Garuda (front) and chepu (monster mask) (back)
Cleveland Museum of Art
Pair of Ear Studs
Cleveland Museum of Art
Snake Bracelet
Getty Museum