Traditional Indian Gold Nose Ring Nath

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Traditional Indian Gold Nose Ring Nath

About the Item

The nose ring in India represents a tradition that heads back centuries and has kept his significance until today. In some parts of India the nose ring is never removed once a woman is married, and thus a nose ring is often considered to be a sign of marriage. Nose rings, although closely associated with Indian culture, actually originated in the Middle East. Nose rings first appeared in India during the Moghul period around the 16th century. In fact, excavations in India have not turned up any evidence of nose rings in India prior to the 16th century. The nose rings that first appeared in India were not actual rings, but were small, flat, ornamental patterns - often flowers - that were held in place by a screw on the inside of the nostril. Ornaments for the nose take on a variety of shapes and the type of nose ring is largely dependent on the area of the nose where the nose ring will be worn. For instance, studs, also known as phul, are common when worn in the nostril. Circular barbells, also known as nath, are worn in the septum (the cartilage between the nostrils), and straight barbells adorn the area on the bridge of the nose between the eyes. It's possible for septum rings to be so large that they make it difficult to eat. Some nose rings are so heavily ornamented by jewels, pearls and so on, that chains, which are attached to the hair or over the earlobe are used to help support the weight of the nose ring. As one of the symbols of saubhagya ( marital felicity), the nose ornament crossed regional and communal boundaries, and wearing a nath became mandatory for married women, all though it has to be noted that not all nose ornaments were exclusively marriage ornaments. Historians believe that the nath was introduced to India around the 8th century during the Arab invasion of Sind. The Indian custom of boring the septum of the nose, still prevailing in the isolated part of rural India, is distinctly Arabic. The term Nath possibly comes from the Pakrit word NATHA, meaning a rope passing through the nose of a draft animal. The Hindi word naath also means lord, master and husband, which adds to the nath’s significance as a symbol of marriage. Throughout the history of Indian Jewellery, no gem has been prolifically used as the pearl. For many centuries the best quality pearls were found in the Persian Gulf. Until the 16th century the pearl trade was dominated by the Arabs and Persians, but after the Portuguese colonisation, they took over the trade. Pearls formed an important asset of their Far East Trade. After the Arabs regained control over the area, they also took over the trade monopoly, and this was in fact financed by the Indians. The pearls came to shore at the harbour city Basra, hence the name ‘Basra Pearls’. After the pearls were washed, cleaned and selected on colour, size shape and lustre, they were send the Persian city of Hormuz were the trade took place. From here the pearls were shipped to Mumbai, where the Indian trade took place. From Mumbai the pearls were distributed all over the country, and were even sent overseas to the West Unfortunately, through extensive fishing and pollution, there are no longer pearls to be found in the Persian Gulf, the Basra Pearl trade ended in the late nineteenth century. The metal gold is related to the goddess Lakhsmi (Hindu goddess of prosperity and good fortune) and the sacred river Ganga, and presides over all other metals. Origin: India, Uttar Pradesh, Benares/Lucknow

Metal:
Gold
Stone:
Emerald,Pearl,Turquoise
Weight:
115 g
Place of Origin:
India
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
19th century
Condition:
Lab report by Netherlands Gemmological Laboratory available.
Seller Location:
s-Hertogenbosch, NL
Reference Number:
Seller: 12641stDibs: LU20922609363