Lot 240
  • 240

A gold and enamelled diamond-set sarpech, Benares, circa 1850

Estimate
35,000 - 45,000 GBP
Log in to view results
bidding is closed

Description

  • gold, enamel, diamond
formed of eight hinged sections set with diamonds to the front with twelve drilled pendant emeralds suspended from the top and bottom, the reverse decorated with finely enamelled pink lotus flowers, within custom-made box

Provenance

Formerly UK private collection
The present sarpech comes in its original leather and velvet-lined fitted case. A scrap of newspaper from The Gazette of India, dated August 6, 1887 was used to line the inside of the cover of the case, providing an intriguing footnote to its history.
 

Condition

In good condition, very minor nicks to emeralds, fitted wooden box with purple velvet lining, worn consistent with age and use, emeralds translucent to opaque with characteristic inclusions, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

Whereas sarpechs normally have a single jigha, this triple sarpech is a particularly elaborate example. According to Katherine Prior and John Adamson, only the Mughal emperor, his intimate relations and select members of his entourage were permitted to wear a royal turban ornament (Prior and Adamson, 2000, pp.38-39).

The evolution of the form of the sarpech is interesting. In the period of Emperor Akbar’s reign (1556-1605), the principal turban ornament was the kalgi, a simple gold or jewelled stem into which a heron feather was inserted (ibid, pp.38-39). During the reign of Shah Jahan, an ornate jewelled brooch appears to have taken the place of the feather. This solid plume retained the characteristic droop of the Jahangiri feather kalgi and one or more pendant stones were added to it as ornaments. In this form, the turban ornament is known as a jigha, though it is important to note that like the present example, most jighas retain a stem or tana for the insertion of the original feathered plume.

Retaining their imperial connotations, such kalgis were considered as marks of honour, worn by the emperor and ceremonially presented on important occasions. These continued to hold their mark of prestige as notable examples entered into British aristocratic collections. One is in the collection of Robert, 1st Lord Clive; “Clive of India” (illustrated in Prior and Adamson, p.67) and another example now in the Victoria and Albert Museum (inv. no IS.3&A-1982) was originally presented to Admiral Charles Watson on 26 July 1757 by Mir Ja’far ‘Ali Khan, successor to Suraj-ud-Daula as the Nawab of Bengal.