Theyyam Hand-Painted Pendant Necklace – Deity Face Crescent Red
Description
Theyyam is not a painting style. It is a living ritual. In northern Kerala, Theyyam performers transform into fierce deities through hours of costume and face painting — becoming, not representing, the divine. The face painting itself is an art form of extraordinary precision, with every colour, line, and symbol carrying specific meaning within the ritual tradition.
This pendant captures the Theyyam deity face at its most theatrical: the orange-red ground with horizontal banding, the bold black kohl lines that define the eyes and face structure, and — most specifically — the crescent moon motifs arranged in the border of the headdress. Crescent moons in Theyyam iconography identify particular deities in the Kerala ritual tradition, connecting them to Shiva's cosmic symbolism. The silhouette cut of the pendant follows the shape of the deity's ornate headdress crown, meaning the pendant itself is shaped like the art it depicts.
On the chain, small red coral beads and pearl accents are separated by antique gold filigree cap pieces on a black rope — the combination of coral, pearl, and gold is traditional Kerala jewellery language, the kind worn by women during festival and ritual occasions across the state.
Theyyam performances are primarily associated with the Malabar region of northern Kerala and take place at kavu shrines and temples during specific festival seasons. The art form is recognised among India's most powerful living ritual traditions. Very few Indian jewellery brands have worked with Theyyam iconography — EthniiChic's Theyyam pieces are among the rare contemporary interpretations of this tradition in wearable form.
Material : Pre-engineered wood pendant (silhouette-cut), non-toxic hand-applied pigments. Chain: black rope with small red coral beads, pearl beads, and antique gold filigree caps.
Dimension : Length of the neck piece : 10.2" – 23” (26 cm - 58.5 cm) adjustable length
Size of the pendant : 3.5 inches x 3.6 inches (8 cm x 9 cm)
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Brand Philosophy
When you order from EthniiChic, you receive more than just a product—you bring home a piece of India’s cultural heritage.
Each creation is handcrafted with care, hand-painted with authentic traditional art forms, and finished to perfection for lasting quality.
Expect vibrant storytelling through design, eco-conscious craftsmanship, and timely, well-packaged delivery that ensures your order arrives safe and ready to adorn your space / yourself.
DISCLAIMER
At EthniiChic, we celebrate the artistry of handmade products, each lovingly crafted by skilled artisans.
Due to this unique handmade nature, minor variations and subtle surface textures are natural and should be embraced as hallmarks of authentic charm and individuality, rather than defects.
Please note that the actual colors of our products may vary slightly depending on your device's screen resolution and any accessories shown in product images are for styling purposes only and are not included with your purchase.