Indian Hansuli Silver Torque

Solid (thos) chiselled torc necklace, called a hansuli. Gujarat, north west India. High silver content, solid construction. Early to mid 20th century.

After casting, the piece has been incised and stamped with a pattern of geometric  lines and spheres to form a repeat flower pattern. The ends are curled.

The piece shows some wear and softening commensurate with its age.

Torcs such as these are worn in rural Gujarat and Rajasthan. Similar ornaments may be found in Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. They are often worn by boys and young men as well as women, along with other forms of ornamentation. This is particularly typical of women of the fishing villages of the north west of India.

Hansuli derives from the word for collarbone, where this type of rigid neck ring typically sits.

This is a very wearable piece of jewellery.

Measurements:Internal widest point 13.8 cm, width of opening 6.4 cm. Weight 130 g.

References

• Leurquin, A., A World of Necklaces: Africa, Asia, Oceania, America from the Ghysels Collection, Skira, 2003.
• Hoek, C.et al, Ethnic Jewellery: From Africa, Asia and Pacific Islands, Pepin Press, 2004.
• Untracht, O. Traditional Jewelry of India, Thames & Hudson, 1997.