Thickly loaded on a silver base consisting of loop-in-loop chain this flabby and squat pile up of beads rises to such levels of beauty to which even a rigorously worked piece of jewellery : gold, silver or any, gems’ studded or otherwise, wrought with the finest details – an art-piece’s highest merit and ultimate requirement, would wrest to stand equal. Not in its perfect curvature and uniform roundness, or in symmetrically laid parts, this necklace discovers its charm in the skyline that breaks, rises and falls and in heart-beat contours creating rhythm with each curve. An effort to keep beads in line or to linear discipline – any kind of formalism, is hardly the scheme of its fabrication. Strangely, like a bunch of grapes it follows nature’s way not minding under and oversize parts, allowing free play to each, though all as much powerfully contributing collectively to its aggregate beauty and charm.
Both, by its massive bulk and its form, this amethyst necklace works also as the most powerful amulet which besides being a beautiful stone possessed of great ornamental quality also has a utility aspect. Initially, that is since as early as about fifth-fourth century BC, amethyst was considered to be a potential tool that prevented from drunkenness. A myth related to Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, and variously to Bacchus, also a god of intoxicating drinks, ill-natured and short-tempered. As narrates Aristotle, the known Greek philosopher, once in a drunken orgy Dionysus seized a young beautiful nymph, named Amethyst with the intention of ravishing her. She quickly prayed to Diana, the goddess of chastity and instantly she was transformed into a gleaming white rock into the hands of Bacchus who, repentant as he was, emptied his wine-cup over the rock and vowed not to ever resort to such folly. This transformed the rock’s colour to that of wine and gave it the power to prevent drunkenness and sober even one who is drunk.
Under another account of the myth, Bacchus, angered over some incident, looked for someone who he could kill and ease his mind. He saw Amethyst walking towards Diana’s shrine for worship and began chasing her. On Amethyst’s prayer Diana transformed her into a gleaming white stone. Bacchus realised his cruelty and in repentance poured as libation his drink over the stone turning it violet and vesting in it the power to prevent from the affects of wine. The myth’s later expansions provide that whatever quantum of wine one drank with a goblet of amethyst, or piece of it touching the drink, it would not adversely affect. True to the spirit of the myths, amethyst reveals the same beauty, a kind of romantic fervour as would a celestial nymph with power to enchant even gods and commit folly but lead ultimate to restraint.
However, subsequently this stone of limited powers was found, besides being one of the most beautiful gems, to possessed an unimaginable breadth of protective powers. It was found effective in controlling evil thoughts; cooling down passions, especially love-related; quickening intelligence; developing shrewdness in business and so on. In battlefield amethyst was seen as a stone that protected soldiers from harms and led them to victory and was helpful to hunters. A touch of amethyst was found is rendering any poison ineffective. For its such powers – occult or others, amethyst was elevated to ecclesiastical status being known as Bishop’s Stone, Beneficent Stone, Elevator’s Stone, Stone of Healing, Love, Peace, among others. In this necklace the power of the stone has been doubled by its beads being faceted like garlic bulbs. The protecting attributes of Garlic are not only a matter of conviction but now also established scientifically. Medical sciences are now widely using garlic’s medicinal properties in curing many serious ailments. Obviously, by association the form of garlic must have effected these powers also as an amulet and the wearer is bound to be dually benefitted.
This description by Prof. P.C. Jain and Dr Daljeet. Prof. Jain specializes on the aesthetics of ancient Indian literature. Dr Daljeet is the chief curator of the Visual Arts Gallery at the National Museum of India, New Delhi. They have both collaborated on numerous books on Indian art and culture.
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