Lot 196. A pair of gem-set emerald earrings, India, 19th-20th century; each: 10cm. Estimate: 10,000 - 12,000 GBP. Courtesy Sotheby's.

each with a central rose-cut round emerald further set with gemstones, including diamonds and rubies set in the kundan technique, hanging from a carved leaf, polychrome enamel to reverse and adapted with pin and hook for fastening to ears.

Provenance: Previously property of an Indian maharani.

Private collection, UK, since the early 1970s.

Note: Mughal emeralds were popular among European jewellers such as Cartier who re-purposed them into new creations such as a beautiful necklace and matching earrings in the British Museum, inv. no.2001,0505. Whereas the cabochon emeralds are attributed to the eigthteenth/nineteenth century Mughal era, the design is early twentieth century. The current emeralds feature a rose cut which was known to be used since the sixteenth century.

Sotheby's. ARTS OF THE ISLAMIC WORLD AND INDIA INCLUDING FINE RUGS AND CARPETS, 01 Apr 2020