{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O69624"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O69624/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AV8850/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AV8850/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AV8850","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O69624/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O69624","accessionNumber":"IS.28:1-1997","objectType":"Armlet","titles":[{"title":"vanki","type":"generic title"}],"summaryDescription":"Armlets such as these extremely fine examples in gold are worn on the upper arm. Known as <i>Vanki</i>, the shape of this type of armlet with a double ‘V’ is a south Indian design. At the front in the centre of the armlet is a <i>kirtimukha</i> or ‘Face of Glory’. This ferocious lion-like mask is often seen in Hindu temple architecture, where it has a protective function. On either side of the mask is a peacock.\r\n\r\nThe armlets are thought to have been in the collection of John Johnstone of Alva in Scotland (1734-1795), who served with Robert Clive at the Battle of Plassey in 1757.","physicalDescription":"One of a pair of gold armlets, <i>(vanki</i> - a rigid armlet  shaped in a double 'U' worn on the upper arm) with kirttimukha heads worked in repoussé, chased and engraved and set with rubies.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"Gold","id":"AAT11021"},{"text":"Rubies","id":"AAT11082"},{"text":"rubies","id":"AAT11082"}],"techniques":[{"text":"repousse","id":"AAT54023"},{"text":"chasing","id":"AAT54016"},{"text":"engraving (incising)","id":"AAT53829"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Gold, worked in repousse, chased, engraved and set with rubies with moveable tongues.","categories":[{"text":"Images Online","id":"THES48937"},{"text":"Jewellery","id":"THES48930"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"SSEA","id":"THES48598"},"images":["2006AV8850"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"003","id":"THES384803"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Armlet","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"India","id":"x29790"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":"south"}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"18th century","earliest":"1700-01-01","latest":"1799-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":"probably before 1765"}],"associatedObjects":[{"object":{"text":"IS.28:2-1997","id":"O69626"},"association":""}],"creditLine":"Supported by the Friends of the V&A","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"10.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"8","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"Thought to have been owned by John Johnstone of Alva, Clackmannanshire (1734-95) acquired by him before 1765.  Given by the Friends of the V&A. Johnstone commanded the artillery for Robert Clive at the Battle of Plassey. He may have acquired the armlets when a campaign took him south to Masulipatam in 1759, although having returned to Bengal he received rich gifts from the Raja of Burddwan, where he carried out revenue farmimg, and from the Nawab, whom he helped install.","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"One of a pair of gold armlets from South India dating from the eighteenth century.","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"John GUY, 'Gold in Asian' in Art Exhibitions Australia and National Museums of Australia, Gold and Civilisation, Sydney and Canberra, 2001, p.176\r\nBarnard, Nick.<u> Indian Jewellery : The V&A Collection. London</u> : V&A Publishing, 2008. ISBN 9781851774838, p.118, pl.6.13."}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"PAIR OF ARMLETS\r\nGold set with rubies\r\nSouth India, probably Thanjavur\r\n18th century\r\nIS.28:1 and 2-1997\r\nGiven by the Friends of the V&A\r\nAt the centre of each armlet is the expressive demon mask called the kirttimukha or 'halo-face', a motif often found in temple architecture as well as jewellery. It is intended to terrify unbelievers while protecting the pious. The armlets are thought to have been acquired in India by John Johnstone of Alva (1734-95), who fought with Robert Clive at the Battle of Plassey.","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null}}],"partNumbers":["IS.28:1-1997"],"accessionNumberNum":"28","accessionNumberPrefix":"IS","accessionYear":1997,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2019LU7129","2019LW2996"],"recordModificationDate":"2026-06-05","recordCreationDate":"2002-11-08","availableToBook":false}}