Arts of the Islamic World and India, including Fine Rugs and Carpets
Arts of the Islamic World and India, including Fine Rugs and Carpets
Property of a Lady
A pair of diamond-set and enamelled gold kadas, India, 18th century
Auction Closed
April 26, 01:36 PM GMT
Estimate
30,000 - 40,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
each with gold body of rounded form, hinged and secured by a diamond-set pin, the exterior with a scrolling vine issuing flowerheads and leaves set with diamonds and reserved on a green enamelled ground, the interior enamelled in red, green, white and blue with scrolling floral sprays, with bud-shaped pendant fringing set with diamonds and further floral enamelling
2
7cm. diam.
The diamonds on this beautiful pair of bracelets were set using the traditional kundan technique that is unique to India. Using hyper-purified gold (kundan), the inlayer (zar-nishan) refines the soft metal into strips of malleable foil which at room temperature have a 'tacky' or adhesive quality. Once cut and folded, the craftsman can apply the ductile gold as he chooses without any need for solder or glue. In spite of the practical advantages of this technique, it was only ever used in the Subcontinent, though widely imitated elsewhere (Keene 2001, pp.18 and 30).
A diamond and enamelled gold child's bracelet with similar diamond pendants from a private Swiss collection is illustrated in Markevitch 1987, p.28, no.6.