Lot 259. A Makara Kanti, Tamil Nadu, India, circa 1900. Estimate 35,000 — 45,000 GBP. Photo Sotheby's.

composed of linked stylised bird-form elements leading towards a central openwork plaque formed of stylised addorsed peacocks amidst floral elements, with a pendant comprising foliate tendrils around a central rosette, set with foil-backed rock crystals and gemstones, incised details to design of central pendant to reverse; 37.5cm. length

Notes: This necklace derives its name from its resemblance to the tail of the mythical 'makara', or part aquatic/part terrestrial animal important in Hindu mythology. The present example is also dominated by the symbol of the peacock, a popular topos in Indian jewellery production, used on the main pendant and abstracted to form the necklace's chain. 

An almost identical example is published in U.R.B. Krishnan and M.S.Kumar, Dance of the Peacock: Jewellery Traditions of India, India Book House Ltd., 2001, pp.88-9, figs.121a and b. 

Sotheby's. Arts of the Islamic World, London, 19 Oct 2016, 11:30 AM