Banjara Torc from India

• country - Rajasthan, India
• materials - modest-grade silver alloy made from melted coins, with a significant admixture of base metal, including copper
• object - torc
• object date - late 20th Century
• source - Colleen Morrow, Adelaide

While still in use (in this case with a coin dated 1987!), these pieces are now disappearing as a result of modernization of the community. The bells are meant to keep away evil spirits. The two triangles are symbolic of womanhood. They are rather crudely made. The more finely made torc shows detailed decoration and a spring-type clasp of a kind common in India and other Asian countries.