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Lot Essay
A very similar inset eagle is in the al-Sabah collection, Kuwait (Manuel Keene and Salam Kaoukji, Treasury of the World, London, 2001, no.8.38, p.108; also Marilyn Jenkins (ed.), Islamic Art from the Kuwait National Museum, the al-Sabah Collection, London, 1982, p.133). In the first publication it was catalogued as "north India probably 18th century" which was later revised to "probably Deccan later 16th-1st quarter 17th century". In both eagles the central drop-shaped panel is formed of diamonds while the rest is inlaid with rubies. The beak is made of a single precious stone suspending a pearl. A third very similar example was formerly with Spink and Son (Oppi Untracht, Traditional Jewelry of India, New York 1997, no.507, p.237, attrbuted to late 18th century Tamil Nadu. A further similar but smaller eagle was sold in these Rooms 8 October 1997, lot 401.
It is interesting to compare the form of this eagle with that of a Moroccan eagle sold in these Rooms 17 April 2007, lot 342. It demonstrates clearly the cultural exchange that was enabled by the sea trade that opened up in the 17th century between Europe, South America, and India. For a further discussion on this please see the introduction to the Moroccan jewellery section in this sale above lot 444.
It is interesting to compare the form of this eagle with that of a Moroccan eagle sold in these Rooms 17 April 2007, lot 342. It demonstrates clearly the cultural exchange that was enabled by the sea trade that opened up in the 17th century between Europe, South America, and India. For a further discussion on this please see the introduction to the Moroccan jewellery section in this sale above lot 444.