Jewelry Auctions

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Storied emerald necklace up for auction

October 05, 2009
This 19th-century emerald and seed-pearl necklace will be up for auction at Bonhams' Indian and Islamic sale on Oct. 8.

An important, 19th-century emerald and seed-pearl necklace owned by the wife of the last Sikh ruler, the Lion of the Punjab, will be up for auction in Bonhams' next Indian and Islamic sale.

The auction will be held at Bonhams' New Bond Street location on Oct. 8, and the necklace is estimated to fetch between 25,000 and 35,000 British pounds (about $39,848 to $55,798).

The design features six polished emerald beads--one converted to a pendant--each gold-mounted and fringed with seed-pearl drop tassels and fastened with a gold clasp. The necklace comes with a fitted cloth-covered case, and the inside of the lid reads: "From the Collection of the Court of Lahore formed by HH The Maharajah Runjeet Singh and lastly worn by Her Highness The Late Maharanee Jeddan Kower."

The rare necklace, sold by Frazer and Hawes from Garrards, has a long and illustrious history. It was owned by the Maharani Jindan Kaur, wife of Ranjit Singh, whose empire stretched from the Indian Ocean to the Himalayas. Singh's court was fabled for its patronage of the arts and sciences, as well as for its riches.

After Singh's death, Kaur, his only surviving wife, came to power as Regent. She waged two unsuccessful wars against the British, and in 1846, was deposed as Regent. In February 1847, the British took possession of the capital, Lahore.

When the British took control of the court, they entered the Treasury, where they found the court jewels wrapped in cloth. The Treasury was fabled to be the greatest and largest treasure ever found. Its most famous and well-known jewels were taken away as gifts for Queen Victoria, including the Timur Ruby and the Koh-i Noor.
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