What culture makes this metal conical necklace?

[apolaki]

HI does anyone know what culture this comes from? Each metallic cone shape bead has women figures on it. The color is aluminum and feels light weight.

Thanks for any help you can provide!

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams apolaki, These are Indian and likely to be pot metal...and traceable in style on library in a post by Tatyana Dianova at http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread...ighlight=BIDRI ...The distinct nature of the figures in the design are clearly from the Himachal Pradesh area ...The question also refers to the shape ...conical beads...and in the case of the small conical style seen in many regions including Yemen, Oman and other Arabian locations ...whereas in the large longer form I imagine also seen in other Indian regions ....thus it is more the design of specific female figures on the beads...Hoi Mata ... which points to the location I note here.

[Jim McDougall]

Well noted Ibrahiim!
These curiously simply represented figures do remarkably resemble the type seen in material culture of the Kalash (formerly known as Kafirs) who now populate regions in Chitral and as you note Himachal Pradesh. Similar motif and decoration have been discussed on some weaponry as you have linked (thank you for furnishing that).
It is interesting that one of the inherent weapons used by these people is the dagger known as 'katara', a rather distinct hilted form with somewhat equal width pommel crossbar and crossguard giving it the rather familiar H shape seen on some other ethnographic forms.

As noted, the styling of the beads here reveals the distinct trade networking which carried cultural influences between these regions then collectively included as part of Northern India in earlier times and the Arabian peninsula.

[Jim McDougall]

Just curious Apolaki , would like to see if these replies are visible.

[apolaki]

Thank you all so much for the information! Your knowledge on such things is so impressive!

I was wondering, does anyone know what metal these objects are traditionally composed of?

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by apolaki

Thank you all so much for the information! Your knowledge on such things is so impressive!

I was wondering, does anyone know what metal these objects are traditionally composed of?

Salaams apolaki, Please see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pot_metal .....Pot metal or monkey metal was any old broken or discarded pot melted down for such purpose ... and in places by traditions that may not have demanded pure silver etc... or simply could not afford it...

Jim, True indeed ... The influence on Arabian jewellery is vast and because of the trade between India and Arabia, influence on tribal Jewellery flowed both ways and although few bladed weapons are evidenced in Arabian style from India (there are examples of gunpowder weapons) for example the hilt of the Iconic Royal Khanjar and the Battle Sword Hilt both said to have been redesigned from Indian style by one of Said the Greats famous wives; Sheherazad...Omani Silver by Ruth Hawley points to all directions on influence by Greek, African, Persian, Indian and all regional neighbours in this regard.

The study of Tribal Jewellery design is an important cornerstone in viewing Talismanic markings and style reaching far back, often beyond religious anchor points and is in its own right a great ethnographic subject...and in full support of weapons study.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.