Banjara Tribal Armband - Vintage Coins Cowrie Shells Beads

Vintage Banjara armlet with shells, bells and coins on a fabric band.  Black elastic has been sewn to the ends of the fiber band to make this an easy on/off piece, but it could also be taken apart and a longer piece of elastic added or even new ties if desired.  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. JBN0168
Length of Fiber Bracelet Band: About 8.25 inches
Width of Fiber Band:  About 1/2 an inch
Decorative Components:  Coins, beads and cowrie shell tassels
Length of Tassel(s): 4 inches
Materials: Fiber, Mixed Metals, Cowrie Shells
Metal Color: Coins are silvery, beads are dull gray
Finish:  Coins unpolished but shiny
Closure:  Elastic
Un-stretched Circumference: About 10 inches
Fully Stretched Circumference:  Almost 14 inches
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!