Woman's hair ornament c. 1970s

This Woman’s hair ornament was made by the Jat people. Looking at this piece, I’m struck by its incredible detail and craftsmanship. The way the red, orange and black threads have been braided, almost like in a plait, and then adorned with decorative pendants… it's a beautiful thing. I can only imagine the time it took to create this, each bead and thread carefully placed. It feels like an act of love and devotion. I think of the maker, maybe she was thinking about the wearer as she created this piece, imagining her wearing it, dancing, or simply going about her day. I feel a connection to the anonymous maker, a shared understanding of the care and attention that goes into creating something beautiful and meaningful. When you pour your heart into a piece like this, you're putting a little bit of yourself into the world.