http://collection.shangrilahawaii.org/internal/media/dispatcher/44140/fullGold-Set Diamond Floral Pendant on Seed-Pearl Wrapped Silk Cord Necklace and Enamelled Floral Ornamentation on Reverse19th centuryOverall: 24 in. (61cm)
Enameled gold, diamonds, seed pearls, silk cordGift of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. Courtesy of the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art.57.1011A diamond encrusted pendant hangs from intertwined strings of pearls. The necklace is secured with a cord ending in a red tassel. The diamonds are set using kundan technique, in which strips of gold are applied around the stones to create the mount. The reverse of the pendant is decorated in polychrome enamel.
In India, magnificent jewelry encrusted with precious stones was associated with kingship. Following political upheavals in India during the 1700s, royal jewelry began to leave India, looted by the British in wars to consolidate territory or given as gifts by Indian princes to secure favor. Edward Prince of Wales conducted the first major royal tour to India in 1875-6. While the Prince presented gifts such as watches and snuff-boxes to his Indian subjects, he returned home to England with two ships heavy laden with gifts, including magnificent pieces of jewelry and trunks filled with precious stones.
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