36-37 / 160
36
37
39
DIAMOND NECKLACE
Consisting of a row of old‒cut diamonds in alternating
circular and square stylised bezels, suspending a fringe
of smaller full‒cut diamonds in pear‒shaped bezels
alternating with a cluster of three full‒cut diamonds,
mounted in silver.
Gross weight: 17.05 grams
$ 1,000 ‒ 2,430
Rs 70,000 ‒ 1,70,000
PROVENANCE:
Property of a descendant of the Mangaldas family
40
PAIR OF DIAMOND EARRINGS
Each earring is centred on a circular full‒cut diamond
to an articulated surround of full‒cut diamonds in
floral clusters, mounted in silver.
Gross weight: 5.32 grams
$ 790 ‒ 1,360
Rs 55,000 ‒ 95,000
PROVENANCE:
Property of a descendant of the Mangaldas family
S
heth Mangaldas Girdhardas began his career during the late 19
th
century as a store-keeper at
a textile mill in Ahmedabad and ascended to become its owner. His career flourished and
soon, he presided over several mills and businesses to become one of Ahmedabad’s foremost
business leaders. He passed away in 1928, leaving behind his contributions to society, and
a legacy of textile mills which were sold over the years by his descendants. More recently,
the mansion he had commissioned in the 1920s has been renovated and currently houses a
heritage hotel in Ahmedabad, managed by the Madan Mohan Mangaldas branch of the family.
The suite of jewels featured here (lots 39 – 52) is the property of a descendant of Sheth Mangaldas.
It includes a pair of exquisite
jadau
bangles with the famed pink Benarasi
meenakari
on the
reverse, and a pair of
polki
diamond bracelets.
Sheth Mangaldas with Mahatma Gandhi, circa 1920s. In 1915,
Mahatma Gandhi came to live in Ahmedabad and emphasised the
growth of Swadeshi textile industries.
The Mangaldas family in Mangalbag, 1954
Images courtesy of the present owner