Rare Emerald Necklace on Sale
A historic emerald and seed-pearl necklace will be on sale at the Bonhams’ in the next Indian and Islamic sale on the 8th of Oct, 2009 at New Bond Street, London.
The Necklace was owned by the Maharani Jindan Kaur wife of Ranjit Singh, the Lion of the Punjab (1780–1839) and is originally from the 19th-century in the Lahore Treasury
According to Diamond World, the necklace consists of six polished emerald beads in the necklace, one bead being converted into a pendant. Each bead is mounted in gold and fringes of seed-pearl drop tassels fastened with a gold clasp. The necklace is packaged in a fitted cloth covered case, and carries the inscriptions “From the Collection of the Court of Lahore formed by HH The Maharajah Runjeet Singh & lastly worn by Her Highness, The Late Maharanee Jeddan Kower” on the inner part of the lid.
The necklace is part of the Collection of the Maharajah Ranjit Singh and Maharani Jindan Kaur (1817–1863), which was sold by Frazer and Hawes from Garrards, Regent Street, London. The treasury of Lahore was famous for its jewels. It is said that during 1849 and 1850 in the times of the British reign, in the court in Lahore, they accessed the treasury and took some of the most famous jewels for the as gifts for Queen Victoria, including the Koh-i Noor and the Timur Ruby.
The price of the necklace is estimated between $42,000 to $58,000.