A silver triangle on a pin with three chains ending in smaller triangles [.1] . Also attached to the pin, but movable, a silver ?cobra with a red bead hanging from its 'nose'[.2]. [El.B 'DCF 2004-2006 What's Upstairs?' 25/5/2005]

Collection type: Object
Description: A silver triangle on a pin with three chains ending in smaller triangles [.1] . Also attached to the pin, but movable, a silver ?cobra with a red bead hanging from its 'nose'[.2]. [El.B 'DCF 2004-2006 What's Upstairs?' 25/5/2005]
Long description: A long pin of silver one end of which is sharply pointed and the other end having a silver bead on it followed by a large flat inverted triangle shape. The two bottom points of this triangle are rounded, the top is pointed. Hanging from the point between the triangle and the bead are three small chains and attached to each of these is a flat teardrop shape. Attached to the metal pin, but loosely so that it can be moved up and down is a piece of metal shaped like a cobra [numbered .2 because it risks coming detached from the main part of the object]. The head of the cobra is incised with features such as scales and eyes. At the 'nose' of the cobra is a small silver loop from which hangs a red glass bead. [JP 13/11/2002]
Geographical reference: Malaysia
Asia > South-eastern Asia > Malaysia
Cultural groups: Malay
Person: Field collector Frank Mills; PRM source John R. Frank Mills
Date / Period: Date made: Before 1893
Date collected: 1893 - 1913 MALAYSIA
Acquisition information: Donated: 1992
Materials and processes: Material Silver Metal, Material Bead
Dimensions: Length: max 162 mm
Object numbers: Accession number: 1992.6.211.1 Accession number: 1992.6.211.2
Research and responses: 'Lieutenant-Colonel F. Mills, D.S.O. was born in Liverpool in 1873. In 1893 or 1894 he went to Malaya as a Civil Engineer to develop the railway system. In his spare time he enjoyed big game hunting and polo. He left Malaya in 1913 and returned to England. Obtained a Commission in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and commanded the 6th Battalion in Palestine and at Gallipoli. Received the D.S.O. at the Battle of Gaza. Left the army at the end of the war. Married in 1919, and lived in Wales until his death in 1945.' [MdeA 14/10/2002]
See donor's original list which is now kept in the Related Documents File. [MdeA 14/10/2002]
This could be one of the pins people use to pierce their tongues and cheeks with during the Thaipusam festival. I have compared pictures of such pins with this object and they look similar. The Thaipusam festival is celebrated in Malaysia. [El.B 'DCF 2004-2006 What's Upstairs?' 26/5/2005]

Search terms: Ornament, Religion, Religious Object