Christie’s Presents Magnificent Mughal Jewels: Property From A Royal Collection
A MUGHAL THREE STRAND SPINEL AND NATURAL PEARL NECKLACE, Estimate: $1,000,000-2,000,000
NEW YORK — Christie’s is proud to present Magnificent Mughal Jewels: Property from a Royal Collection, a rare and historic presentation of three extraordinary jewels, each embodying centuries of royal provenance and exceptional craftsmanship the jewels will be presented alongside the Magnificent Jewels auction taking place live in New York City on June 17th.
The collection features a Mughal Carved Emerald Necklace comprising five superb Colombian emeralds with an approximate total weight of 1,150 carats, centering on a monumental 470-carat emerald inscribed with the name 'Ahmad Shah Durr-I Durran', founder of the Durrani Empire of Afghanistan and northwest India. This significant inscription also appears on two of the world’s most legendary gems—the Timur Ruby and the Koh-I-Noor diamond—both of which shared a parallel journey with this emerald through the annals of Mughal history from 1612 onward.
Complementing this masterpiece is a magnificent Mughal Multi-Gem and Emerald Necklace, featuring four exceptional Colombian emeralds weighing nearly 800 carats. The discovery of fine large emeralds in Colombia during the 16th and 17th centuries brought these treasures to the courts of the Ottoman Turks, the Safavid Persians, and the Mughal Indians. Highly prized by the Mughal dynasty, emeralds of this caliber were celebrated for their natural beauty and often transformed into beads or incorporated into intricate gold works.
The collection also includes an impressive Mughal Three-Strand Spinel and Natural Pearl Necklace with eight exquisitely inscribed stones, following the revered Mughal tradition of memorializing gemstones to record their illustrious provenance, these spinels bear the names of some of the most powerful figures in history — from Muhammad ibn Tughluq-Shah, the Sultan of Delhi, to the first Mughal emperor Babur, and later, Emperors Jahangir and Shah Jahan. With an approximate total weight of over 2,000 carats, the spinels showcase the vibrant and coveted color that has been prized by royalty for centuries.
“Christie’s is incredibly proud to present this exceptional collection of Mughal jewels, all of which honor the remarkable history and royal provenance of the Mughal Empire. These jewels represent not only the lapidary mastery and grandeur of Mughal India, but also a rare opportunity to acquire some of the most significant examples ever to come to auction. Tracing the rich legacy of the Mughal dynasty, renowned for its iconic use of emeralds, spinels, and pearls, this collection marks a cultural milestone and sets a new standard for the treasures of this extraordinary era.
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Offered from a royal collection, the seller’s proceeds from these three jewels are intended to benefit notable charitable causes.
A Historic Offering of Extraordinary Jewels Rooted in Imperial Legacy | Over 2000 Carats of Colombian Emerald.
About Christie’s
Founded in 1766, Christie’s is a world-leading art and luxury business with a physical presence in 46 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific, and flagship international sales hubs in New York, London, Hong Kong, Paris and Geneva. Renowned and trusted for our expert live and online-only auctions, as well as bespoke Private Sales, Christie’s unparalleled network of specialists offers our clients a full portfolio of global services, including art appraisal, art financing, international real estate and education. Christie’s auctions span more than 80 art and luxury categories, at price points ranging from $500 to over $100 million. Christie’s has sold 7 of the 10 most important single-owner collections in history, achieved the world record price for an artwork at auction, launched the first fully on-chain auction platform dedicated to exceptional NFT art and manages an investment fund to support innovative startups in the art market. Christie’s is also committed to advancing responsible culture throughout its business and communities worldwide. To learn more, browse, bid, discover, and join us for the best of art and luxury at christies.com or by downloading Christie’s apps. The auction house can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X.
