Gem-Inset Earrings with Confronted Birds and Floral Motifs with Enamelled Gold Addorsed Peacocks and Floral Ornamentation on Reverse
Date20th century
MediumEnameled gold, colored gemstones, seed pearls, geen glass beads
DimensionsLength: 3 1/8 in. (7.9cm)
ClassificationsJewelry
Credit LineGift of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. Courtesy of the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art.
Object number57.91a-b
DescriptionThese earrings are inlaid with colorful gemstones and fringed with clusters of tiny seed pearls and green glass beads. The central element is decorated with two peacocks sitting addorsed (back-to-back). Flora and fauna provided inspiration for traditional Indian jewelry, and observations from the natural world even contributed to the naming of hues of gemstones and enamels. For example, the ideal hue for a deep blue sapphire was compared to the color of a peacock’s neck (gardan-e-taus).On View
On viewCollections
16th - 17th century
16th - 17th century
18th - 19th century
19th century
20th century
19th century
