The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of June 7, 2026

A gold repoussé bead is shaped like a horizontal fish with a flared tail and a cylindrical mouth. Its body features raised, bumpy patterns suggesting scales, while tiny gold spheres cluster along the gills and edges. A small circular hole pierces the center of the body. Tapering toward its ends, the figure faces right. The entire object has a textured, warm yellow finish, lacking fine details in its stylized form.

Necklace Bead in the Form of a Fish

185–72 BCE

India, Shunga period

(185–78 BCE)
gold repoussé with granulation
John L. Severance Fund 1973.39.f
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.
  • Cleveland Museum of Art, 1974: Year in Review 1973.
  • {{cite web|title=Necklace Bead in the Form of a Fish|url=false|author=|year=185–72 BCE|access-date=07 June 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

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