History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c34.s2.5

v1.c34.s2.5

*Ear ornaments*: The ear-rings or *kuṇḍalas* were of many shapes. The *makara kuṇḍala*, showing the fantastic animal with curled snout, was very popular during the Gupta age. The *manikuṇḍalas* or the ear-rings fitted with jewels were greatly admired (Kālidāsa, Rtu, II, 19). The festooning of hair with hanging pearl strings is not noticed before the Gupta-age. Hence, it must be a novelty of this period. The ear-rings shaped as leaf (patra-kuṇḍalas) seem to have been greatly in fashion. The leaf- shaped kuṇḍalas of gold (kanakapatra) are also described in literature (Sivaramamurti, 1956).