PROPERTY OF A EUROPEAN NOBLE FAMILY
A DIAMOND-SET NECKLACE WITH SPINEL DROPS (CHAMPAKALI), NORTH INDIA, 18TH/19TH CENTURY
Auction Closed
October 23, 04:16 PM GTNN
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
Property of a European noble family
A DIAMOND-SET NECKLACE WITH SPINEL DROPS (CHAMPAKALI), NORTH INDIA, 18TH/19TH CENTURY
the diamonds set in a 'magnolia champaka' flower design with hanging spinels, with a string of cultured pearls attached above, reverse with gold floral details on cream enamel ground, string for fastening
15cm. height
21cm. max. diam.
Gifted by Asaf Jah VI Mir Mahboob Ali Khan Siddiqi, 6th Nizam of Hyderabad (1866-1911).
Magnolia champaka (or champak) is a large tree native to India whose fragrant flowers are formed of long dangling petals, a feature that is evoked in this necklace. Champa trees are particularly found in North East India at high altitudes and it is no surprise that they would have inspired local jewellers. A closely comparable example, published in Balakrishnan and Sadisharan 2018, pp.131-2, is attributed to the Deccan, early eighteenth century. The plain enamelling to the reverse is also unusual and a pendant with similar enamelling is published in ibid. p.64.