A pair of gold Indian Thandatti earringsEarly 20th Century, Provenance: purchased from Galery Karma, The Hague 2000, A very fine pair of gold Indian earrings from the district Tamil Nadu. Geometric square, triangular and round shapes. These distinctive earrings called 'Thandatti' are worn by the women of the Kondayan Kottai Maravar, members of the oldest Tamil social group, mentioned in the texts of Sangam literature. The hollow golden geometrical shapes are inspired by Yantra or Mandala in three-dimensional form.