An Indian enamelled and gem-set pendant, Deccan, 17th-18th century, with later pearl chain

An Indian enamelled and gem-set pendant, Deccan, 17th-18th century, with later pearl chain

rendered in the form of a bird with outstretched wings and tail feathers, the breast mounted with a diamond medallion, gold body and neck set with cabochon rubies and emeralds, the ruby beak, wings and tail feathers with attached drop-pendant pearls, the reverse of the wings and tail decorated with dark blue, green, yellow, red and white enamelling, loops attaching later gold and pearl suspension chains. pendant length 8cm. Estimate 80,000—120,000 GBP

NOTE: Pendants shaped as eagles with outstretched wings appear in Spain, North Africa and India. The present example with its gem-set decoration would have been made for the Mughal or Deccani court as part of the centrepice of a necklace. A gem-set bird of similar quality and size is in the al-Sabah collection, Kuwait, (see Kuwait 1990, p.283, no. 98 and Keene 2001, no.8.38) and is dated to the late sixteenth/early seventeenth century. Gems were highly prized within the Mughal and Deccani courts and stones were passed down from generation to generation. In Tuzuk-i Jahangiri Jehangir presents a ruby with two pearls to his son Shah Jahan "On this day I made a present to my son Shah Jahan of a ruby of one colour, weighing 9 tanks and 5 surkh, of the value of 125,000 rupees, with two pearls. This is the ruby which was given to my father at the time of my birth by Hazrat Maryammakani, mother of H.M. Akbar, by way of present when my face was shown, and was for many years in his sarpech. Apart from its value and delicacy, as it had come down as of auspicious augury to the everlasting State, it was bestowed on my son." (Rogers and Beveridge 1968, p.409).

Abu'l-Fazl (Ain-i Akbari, vol III, pg. 16) mentions that the gems in the treasury were stored according to weight with emeralds coming first followed by rubies, diamonds, pearls and sapphires. Rubies and emeralds were often left en cabochon, in the form in which they were naturally found as retention of weight was an important factor in the fashioning of gems for the court.

Sotheby's. Arts of the Islamic World. 01 Apr 09. London www.sothebys.com photo courtesy Sotheby's