Arts of the Islamic World & India including Fine Rugs and Carpets
Arts of the Islamic World & India including Fine Rugs and Carpets
A gem-set and enamelled gold shield, India, Jaipur, 19th century
Auction Closed
March 30, 12:47 PM GMT
Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
of circular form, the four applied bosses and the crescent-shaped mount with diamonds, emeralds, the convex surface densely decorated with polychrome enamelled cartouches filled with animals and vegetations, the outer border with a floral band with rubies and diamonds against a blue ground, the rim with an inscription in white devanagari script no longer legible, the reverse with original enamelled hooks
41.5cm. diam.
Private Collection, Switzerland, since mid-20th century.
This magnificent shield must have been crafted to commemorate a particular event; several shields were presented to the Prince of Wales during his visit to India in 1875-76, all luxuriously enamelled and set with precious stones (see K. Meghani, Splendours of the Subcontinent. A Prince’s Tour of India 1985-6, London, 2017, pp.170-9). A comparable example, part of this group gifted to the Prince of Wales, made in Lucknow and displaying the same densely enamelled ground and diamonds, is now in the Royal Collection Trust, inv. no.RCIN 11278. Another enamelled shield set with precious stones is in the al-Sabah Collection, inv. no.LNS 2162J, published in Kaoukji 2017, cat.159, pp.426-7.
The colour scheme and the motifs in the roundels are comparable to contemporaneous Jaipur craftsmanship. See, for example, a perfume holder and a salver dated to the third quarter of the nineteenth century, both now in the Royal Collection Trust, inv. no.RCIN 11423 and 11469, and a gem-set covered cup and saucer, also dated to the nineteenth century, sold at Christie’s London, 10 April 2014, lot 157.