Pair of Gem-Set Hinged Gold Bangles
Date19th century
PeriodBritish India/Princely States
MediumGold, rubies, emeralds, diamonds, pearls
DimensionsOverall: 3 1/2 in. (8.9cm)
ClassificationsJewelry
Credit LineGift of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. Courtesy of the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art.
Object number57.133a-b
DescriptionThese hinged bangles are decorated with a row of pearls set between alternating rubies, diamond, and emeralds. The Indian subcontinent was rich with natural deposits of gemstones. Diamonds were mined in the Golconda region of India and provided the only source of diamonds in the world until diamonds were discovered in Brazil in the 1700s. During the reign of the Mughal empire, vast trade networks brought a wealth of precious stones to the Indian subcontinent. Pearls were imported from the Persian Gulf; rubies arrived from present-day Sri Lanka and Myanmar, and the finest emeralds came all the way from Columbia.On View
On viewCollections
19th century
