Banjara Armlet with Cowries and Coins - Vintage Tribal Arm Band Wristlet

Authentic vintage Banjara armlet with shells, beads and coins on a fabric band.  Ties slip through holes on the end of the band and pull through to be tied to any length needed.  This one is shorter and would be better suited for a wrist bracelet than an armband, but could be taken apart and added to a longer band if desired.  Or replace the ties with longer ones, or even add elastic for easy on / off wear.  These pieces are becoming more difficult to find and are often in well-used condition.  An authentic piece of tribal adornment to add to your collection.  Please look at photos carefully for condition. 

The Banjara people of India, known by numerous names including  Pindari, Lambani, Labhani Muka, and many others are a traditionally nomadic people.  They are now found mostly in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana.  The word "Banjara" is derived from a Sanskrit word meaning "wanderers of the jungle".  Banjara women are known to wear beautifully decorated and colorful clothing, enhanced with shells, mirrors, coins and embroidery and adorn themselves with heavy and highly ornamented jewelry made of silver, and natural and found objects, including glass, wood, bone, reeds, grass and shells.

Item No. JBN0151
Length of Bracelet Band: About 6.5 inches
Width of Fabric Band:  About 3/4 of an inch
Width with Shells:  About 1 inch
Decorative Components:  Cowrie Shells, Coins, Metal Beads
Materials: Fabric, Mixed Metals, Cowrie Shells
Metal Color: Coins are silvery, beads are dull gray
Finish:  Unpolished
Closure:  Tie that pulls through holes in the ends of the fabric band.  Can be tied to any length needed.
Country of Origin: India
Condition: Vintage

Please check photos carefully for condition. You will receive the exact piece(s) shown in the photos on this page. This is a USED piece that has been previously worn in country. As a previously used tribal item it may have small flaws such as loose or missing jewels, missing bells, obvious repairs, may be tarnished or worn, or have other small flaws.

A NOTE ON THE CONDITION OF TRIBAL ITEMS: Our jewelry is used tribal jewelry, from faraway lands. As used pieces the condition of our items will reflect their prior lives as treasured tribal pieces. Please know that we strive to maintain the tribal allure of our items and therefore we do not clean or repair these pieces in any way. We leave that choice to the buyer, as each may prefer something different. This not only maintains the old, tribal look of each piece that our belly dance customers seek, but also preserves the value of a piece that cleaning might diminish.

We do our best to describe any flaws that may be present in our items, and we encourage you to read the full description and look at all photos closely to judge the condition of the item for yourself and know exactly what you are ordering. If you have questions about the condition of any item, please ask!