1900 | Exotische "Maangtikka" met filigrain versiering en blauwe kristalletjes, haarornament | ca. 1900

Dit schitterende haarsierraad voor Indiase en Pakinstaanse vrouwen is gedoubleerd. Het is met een filligraantechniek versiert. Het sierrad is redelijk zwaar. Mogelijk hebben er kleine kraaltjes of pareltjes aan de onderkant heeft gezeten. Daar ben ik niet zeker van. Deze Maangtikka heeft kleine blauwe flonkende, waarschijnlijk glas of kristallen. De kwaliteit van het werk, het fijne filligraanwerk maakt het onderscheid van de hedendaagse reproducties.

Herkomst: UK

The maang tikka is a popular ornament worn by Indian women. It is primarily a hair ornament that is usually worn over the middle parting of the hair. It consists of a long chain that covers the length of the hair parting. The front end of the chain has an ornamental, pendant-like feature while the back end consists of a hair pin to attach the maang tikka to the hair and keep it from falling off. The pendant dangles freely just over the hairline of the wearer, covering the upper part of her forehead.

Maang tikkas are most often worn at weddings, engagements, festivals, and other such major functions. They are usually paired with elaborate ethnic or traditional outfits such as sarees, lehengas, and gararas. Gold bridal maang tikkas embedded with precious gemstones are widely wornby Indian brides and are a popular wedding ornament. In my opinion, kundan, silver, and artificial South Indian maang tikkas can also be worn during festivals and other social gatherings by both married and unmarried woman, as they help the wearer stand out from the crowd.

It takes sixteen steps (Solah Shringar) to achieve an Indian bridal look and Maangtikka is one of them. It is essentially a centrepiece that is latched on to the hairdo with a chain. Placed on the bride’s centre-parting, the chain ensures that the drop pendant gracefully sits on her forehead - the Agya Chakra.

FYI, Agya Chakra is a spot on the woman’s forehead which is also believed to be the seat of preservation. It signifies the holy union of male and female, on a spiritual, physical and emotional level. Therefore, traditionally women wear maangtikka for the first time on their wedding day.

Coming to the design part. Every culture has its own design variant. For instance, a Rajasthani bride wears a Borla that is sperical or round in shape while a Muslim woman wears Jhumar Tikka that falls on one side of the head. But South Indian maangtikka or for that matter, Rajputana ones are elaborate affairs and are also called maangpatta.

Sierraden | Maangtikka | India | Haarornamenten