The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 18, 2025

Necklace Beads in the Form of Fish

185–72 BCE

India, Shunga period

(185–78 BCE)
gold repoussé with granulation
John L. Severance Fund 1973.39
Location: 242A Ancient India

Description

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.
  • ?-1973
    (William H. Wolff, New York, NY, ?-1973, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art)
    1973-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH, 1973-present
  • "The Year in Review for 1973." The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 61, no. 2 (1974): 31-78. Mentioned: no. 180, p. 79 www.jstor.org
    Sengupta, Arputha Rani. Buddhist Jewels in Mortuary Cult: Magic Symbols. Delhi: Agam Kala Prakashan, 2019. Mentioned: Vol. 1, P. 277-278; Reproduced: P. 280, fig. 5.70 a & b
    Guy, John. Tree & Serpent: Early Buddhist Art in India. Exh. cat. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2023. Reproduced: p. 66, fig. 28.
  • {{cite web|title=Necklace Beads in the Form of Fish|url=false|author=|year=185–72 BCE|access-date=18 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1973.39