NORTH INDIA, EARLY 19TH CENTURY

Details

A GEM-SET AND ENAMELLED GOLD NOSE RING (NATH)
NORTH INDIA, EARLY 19TH CENTURY
With hanging pearls and emeralds, now mounted as a pendant on a necklace strung with faceted rock crystal beads interspersed with gold cubic beads
The nose ring 4 ¾in. (12cm.) high

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country. These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale using a Temporary Import regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the Hammer price. VAT is also payable (at 20%) on the buyer’s Premium on a VAT inclusive basis. When a buyer of such a lot has registered an EU address but wishes to export the lot or complete the import into another EU country, he must advise Christie's immediately after the auction.

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Lot Essay

This elaborate multi-tiered nose ring, in the form of a crescent moon, is double-sided (do rukha) with foiled gem-stones on each side. The fish-shaped pendant suspended below is a symbol of fertility. There is a comparable gem-set and enamelled nose ring with fish-shaped pendants in the National Museum in New Delhi (acc. no. 56.81/3; U. Balakrishnan, Alamkara – The Beauty of Ornament, New Delhi, 2014, p.158).

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