Tiger claw brooch

In many parts of India, tiger claws were worn as charms against malevolent spirits and to instil courage in the wearer. In the nineteenth century tiger claws were also used for jewellery produced for the European market. The mounts depict the Hindu goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, seated on a lotus and flanked by two elephants, and Subramanya, the Hindu god of war flanked by peacocks.