Men’s ceremonial garland – Gujarat

Object Note
Part of a lot purchased together which includes a woman’s ensemble –blouse, pair of trousers and a jacket (ZI2020.500741 ASIA, ZI2020.500741a ASIA, ZI2020.500741b ASIA) and six other pieces not related to the ensemble (ZI2020.500741c ASIA, ZI2020.500741d ASIA, ZI2020.500741e ASIA, ZI2020.500741f ASIA, ZI2020.500741g ASIA, ZI2020.500741h ASIA).
 
Object History
This man’s ceremonial garland was purchased by Dr. Reem Tariq

Ṭariq: (Arabic; Synonym: tulle_bi_talli; talli; badla; khus_dozi ), series of small metal knots made on a woven net ground as embellishment. The term is commonly used in the Levant Arab region specifically in Lebanon.

El Mutwalli Dr. Reem Tariq

Ṭariq: (Arabic; Synonym: tulle_bi_talli; talli; badla; khus_dozi ), series of small metal knots made on a woven net ground as embellishment. The term is commonly used in the Levant Arab region specifically in Lebanon.

el Mutwallī: Founder (CEO) of the Zay Zay: (Arabic: costume, Pl. azyaā’), a set of clothes in a style typical of a particular country or historical period. Initiative, a public figure, speaker and author. An expert curator and consultant in Islamic art and architecture, interior design, historic costume, and UAE heritage. from Kerry Taylor Auctions, London in 2020 to be added to The Zay Zay: (Arabic: costume, Pl. azyaā’), a set of clothes in a style typical of a particular country or historical period. Initiative Collection.
 
Object Features 
This is a man’s ceremonial neck ornament or garland (haar Haar: (Hindustani), a long dangling ornamental neckpiece ranging from a proper jewellery like a necklace made of precious metal to a floral garland traditionally worn in the Indian subcontinent by both men and women. ) possibly for a Muslim groom. Made from gold and copper metal wire wrapped around cotton threads with copper sequins and gold and copper thread sewn over a silk fabric that is stuck to cardboard bases that have embossed silver foil-lined backs. The haar Haar: (Hindustani), a long dangling ornamental neckpiece ranging from a proper jewellery like a necklace made of precious metal to a floral garland traditionally worn in the Indian subcontinent by both men and women.  features a main pendant and three tiers of attachments on either side.
Traditionally Muslim grooms and their companions in South Asia are often greeted with this kind of ornaments or garlands along with floral garlands by the bride’s family when they arrive at the bride’s house for the wedding. Never a part of the primary bridal jewellery, these kinds of ornaments are often bought in bulk for disposable usage.
This piece is possibly from the Sindh region of the subcontinent and judging from its embellishment and other accompanying articles it could have been part of a fairly affluent Muslim groom and his men’s wedding attire.
 
Links

• https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O472099/garland-unknown/ 


• https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O434254/garland-unknown/ 


• https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O452990/garland-unknown/ 


• https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O434256/garland/