Lot 122. A pair of gem-set and enamelled bangles, possibly Jaipur, North India, late 19th century; 3 ½in. (9 cm.) outer diameter ; 2 ¼ in. (5.7cm.) inner diameter. Estimate GBP 10,000 - GBP 15,000 (USD 12,920 - USD 19,380). Price realised GBP 16,250. © Christie's Images Ltd 2019.

The exterior with floral and foliate motifs set with diamonds and and possibly rubies on blue enamel ground, with a seed pearl surround, the inside elegantly decorated with large red enamelled flowers on cream ground surrounded by small green and light blue foliate motifs, hinged at two places, each with two gem-set screws.

Provenance: By repute, from the collection of the Begum of Sir Wasif Ali Mirza Khan Bahadur, Nawab of Murshidabad in Bengal (1906-1959), thence by descent.
Private UK collection since 1950.

Note: Jewellery such as bracelets and anklets were always acquired in pairs and this tradition is prevalent in India even today. The dark blue enamel employed on the exterior of this pair of bangles was popular in 19th century India and is usually associated with the enamelling centres of Punjab and Lahore in the north-west and with Jaipur and Dholpur in Rajasthan, western India. There is a very similar pair of diamond-set bangles from Jaipur, dated to circa 1850-75, with dark blue enamel to the exterior and comparable floral enamelled motifs to the interior, in the Royal Collection in London (RCIN11290.1-2; Meghani, 2017, pp.46-47).

Pair of bangles, Jaipur, circa 1850 - 1875. Gold, enamel, diamonds and pearls, 1.6 x 8.1 cm, RCIN 11290, Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2019

Christie's. Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds Including Oriental Rugs and Carpets, London, 2 May 2019