An antique turquoise and silver Tibetan ear pendant / earring

A single antique Tibetan ear pendant - Aykhor, made with turquoise and in a silver setting ; this ear ring measuring 10” total consists of a silver chain and hook that attaches to the turquoise ear pendant. The 4” long turquoise ear pendant is 1-1/4” wide and has a silver attachment at the other end with small silver bells. (Wt: 62.5 grams)

Jewelry is associated with social class and is a status symbol. In ancient Tibet, certain jewelry pieces were sought after by the cast of officials, noble and wealthy families. Wearing those jewelry pieces in ancient Tibet was not just for pleasure, but a moral and institutional duty that was regulated by the government. This would result at times in the imposition of sanctions and ridicule for officials who resorted to paying large sums to wear them and to let their women wear them.

Ear pendants were worn by women from aristocratic families in Lhasa. These ear pendants - “aykor “with turquoise as the main stone were set in metal. The higher the rank of the official, the more elaborate were the ear pieces- with silver, gold , turquoise, coral and other stones. As these pendants became bigger and more elaborate, they were too heavy to be worn from the ears and had to be worn near the ears as if they were earrings. Typically they were suspended from the women’s headdress, or hung over the ear.