A carved emerald
Lot 283. A carved octagonal-shaped tabular carved Colombian emerald of 84.63 carats, mid 17th century; 32.45 x 33.95 x 7.85 mm. Estimate USD 3,000,000 - USD 5,000,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2019.
Octagonal-shaped tabular carved emerald of 84.63 carats, with protruding lugs on two opposing sides.
AGL, 2019, report no. 1100331: 84.63 carats, Colombia, insignificant to minor clarity enhancement, traditional type.
Exhibited: Victoria and Albert Museum, London 2009, pp. 54-55, no. 18
The Miho Museum, Koka 2016, p. 167, no. 129
Grand Palais, Paris 2017, p. 45, no. 22
The Doge’s Palace, Venice 2017, p. 56, no. 9
The Palace Museum, Beijing 2018, p. 67, no. 10
de Young Legion of Honor, San Francisco 2018, p. 54, no. 6.
Note: The exceptional purity, color and saturation of this emerald indicates that it likely belonged to a royal family. The lugs on opposing sides suggest that it was strung around the arm or worn as a turban ornament.
Christie's. Maharajas & Mughal Magnificence, New York, 19 June 2019