34-35 / 160
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35
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PAIR OF GEMSET EARRINGS
The surmount of each of the earrings is an articulated
star motif centring on an emerald cabochon and six
ruby cabochons, suspending an inverted pear set with
a central emerald cabochon and surrounding ruby
cabochons, further suspending a tassel of gold links
with ruby cabochons and seed pearls.
Gross weight: 48.88 grams
$ 1,645 ‒ 2,645
Rs 1,15,000 ‒ 1,85,000
PROVENANCE:
Property of a descendant of Kunwar Sardari Lal Chopra
36
PAIR OF GEMSET REVERSIBLE
CHANDBALI
EARRINGS
An unconventional pair of
chandbalis
comprising of
a flower‒head terminal, suspending a stylised crescent
of table‒cut diamonds. The reverse is set in
navratna
gems, further suspending
kundan
‒set
polki
diamonds
and a fringe of pearls.
Diamond
polki
: 18.00 carats approximately
Gross weight: 77.54 grams
$ 5,000 ‒ 6,430
Rs 3,50,000 ‒ 4,50,000
I
n ancient Indian philosophy, the
navratna
, or the nine stones, represent the powers of nine
planets or deities, and are believed to channel these to bestow good health and fortune
on those who wear them. The deities with whom they are associated are aligned in a certain
direction, and when incorporating the stones into amulets or jewellery, the arrangement is as
important as the stones themselves. This arrangement is in conjunction with Hindu cosmological
beliefs which conceived of the universe as containing seven planets, and two personifications
of the moon. Based on this, the ruby, which represents the sun, occupies prime position at the
centre. It is surrounded or flanked by the remaining stones, which include the pearl (moon),
emerald (Mercury), diamond (Venus), red coral (Mars), yellow sapphire (Jupiter), blue sapphire
(Saturn), hessonite (Rahu, which is the ascending lunar node) and cat’s eye chrysoberyl (Ketu,
which is the descending the lunar node).
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NAVRATNA
BRACELET
Designed as a flexible bracelet with
navratna
stones
with
kundan
‒set diamond
polki
along the edges. The
reverse is in red and green enamel in floral motif on
gold ground.
Gross weight: 15.95 gramss
$ 1,790 ‒ 3,215
Rs 1,25,000 ‒ 2,25,000
PROVENANCE:
Property of a late Indian film actress