Kala Ring
Kala (Lion) Mask Ring
Champa, Binh Thuan-Ninh Thuan, 8th-10th century
Gold repoussé inset with stones
Diameter: 3.2 cm, Weight: 11grams
Cham goldsmiths were excellent craftsmen and designers but were also religious interpreters specialized in creating jewelry for the royal court and temple ceremonies. Not unlike artists from any age, Cham goldsmiths designed and crafted art that expressed the zeitgeist of the golden age of Champa, which like renaissance art often focused on complex religious themes. Therefore, it is not surprising that Champa art fused aspects of a complex and ancient religion with its current day Hindu religious images. This mix is displayed on every item of this collection and is undeniable in the Kala face ring shown here. This ring is adorned with a large square purple stone and two much smaller red cabochons set on each side. The stones appear to be raw-cut with natural indentation that coincides with the ancient technique of the purported classic period. Many scholars believe that the indentation of the stone had a significant religious meaning. The stones are surrounded by extensive filigree work, projecting granule beads, and double inverted curls. On both sides of the central stone, the terrifying face of Kala is shown with intense bulging eyes, large scaly nose, long curling mustache and a growling mouth exposing vicious fangs. This same type of face is often seen on Cham temple doors and pedestals built during the 8th-10th century.
Champa, Binh Thuan-Ninh Thuan, 8th-10th century
Gold repoussé inset with stones
Diameter: 3.2 cm, Weight: 11grams
Cham goldsmiths were excellent craftsmen and designers but were also religious interpreters specialized in creating jewelry for the royal court and temple ceremonies. Not unlike artists from any age, Cham goldsmiths designed and crafted art that expressed the zeitgeist of the golden age of Champa, which like renaissance art often focused on complex religious themes. Therefore, it is not surprising that Champa art fused aspects of a complex and ancient religion with its current day Hindu religious images. This mix is displayed on every item of this collection and is undeniable in the Kala face ring shown here. This ring is adorned with a large square purple stone and two much smaller red cabochons set on each side. The stones appear to be raw-cut with natural indentation that coincides with the ancient technique of the purported classic period. Many scholars believe that the indentation of the stone had a significant religious meaning. The stones are surrounded by extensive filigree work, projecting granule beads, and double inverted curls. On both sides of the central stone, the terrifying face of Kala is shown with intense bulging eyes, large scaly nose, long curling mustache and a growling mouth exposing vicious fangs. This same type of face is often seen on Cham temple doors and pedestals built during the 8th-10th century.