Christie's. Maharajas & Mughal Magnificence, New York, 19 June 2019
A carved Colombian emerald, ruby and gold Hindu saint pendant, original emerald pendant early 17th century
Lot 289. A carved Colombian emerald, ruby and gold Hindu saint pendant, original emerald pendant early 17th century. Estimate USD 150,000 - USD 250,000. Price realised USD 156,250. © Christie's Images Ltd
Depicting a Hindu saint, carved emeralds, cabochon ruby, gold, modern mounting of 18k gold, ¾ in., original emerald pendant early 17th century.
SSEF, 2011, report no. 61234: Colombia, moderate clarity enhancement, oil.
Provenance: Lord Glenconner (1926-2010)
Bonhams, London, 28 September 2011, lot 145.
Exhibited: The Miho Museum, Koka 2016, p. 171, no. 133
Grand Palais, Paris 2017, p. 203, no. 153
The Doge’s Palace, Venice 2017, p. 87, no. 44
The Palace Museum, Beijing 2018, p. 100, no. 45
de Young Legion of Honor, San Francisco 2018, p. 172, no. 31.
Note: Surviving carved gemstone figures such as Lot 289 and 290 are rare. These two examples display intricate carvings which are a testament to the refined lapidary skills of Indian jewelers during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Lot 290, a carved sapphire figure of a Hindu saint, formerly in the Rothschild Collection, is dated to the 18th century bears similarities to Lot 289, however, the Glenconner figurine has a flat back, indicating that it was at one time laid into a larger setting.
