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c. 1940 - 50
Women's "Cobra" headress of leather
covered with rough-cut turquoise stones, carnelian, silver, coral,
and cowrie shells. From Ladakh in Kashmir, the snake design of
this hat is associated with reptilian underworld dwellers believed
to possess the powers of fertility.
Dr. Jean Andrews purchased the item while
touring India in 1990. An image of a Ladakh woman wearing a similar
headress and in full costume adornes the March, 1978 cover of
National Geographic. |
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