Oliver White
Head of Department
Lot 303
A gem-set gold Pendant in the form of a Bird Deccan, 18th Century
Amended
23 April 2013, 10:30 BST
London, New Bond StreetSold for £15,000 inc. premium
Looking for a similar item?
Our Islamic and Indian Art specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistAsk about this lot
A gem-set gold Pendant in the form of a Bird
Deccan, 18th Century
Deccan, 18th Century
set with diamonds and rubies, depicted with open wings, head and back engraved with naturalistic feather details, emerald bead suspended from the tail, suspension loop attached to small tuft on head, on a twisted gold wire chain with ruby beads
6 cm. long (without chain); 53 g. (with chain)
6 cm. long (without chain); 53 g. (with chain)
Footnotes
The heraldic stance of the bird recalls Mediaeval and Renaissance bird pendants, usually in the form of eagles, favoured by princely families of Europe and particularly popular in Spain. For a European eagle pendant of circa 1600 in the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection, see Somers-Cocks, Anna and Charles Truman, Renaissance Jewels, gold boxes and objets de vertu, London, 1984, pp. 124-5.
The bird depicted here has a small tuft of feathers on its head, indicating it is possibly a huma. The huma is a legendary bird with an origin in Persian mythology and also related to the Sufi tradition. It is at times referred to as a 'bird of paradise'.
Another known example of the huma bird in the Indian context is in the Royal Collection, UK. Formerly part of the canopy on Tipu Sultan's throne, the gem-set golden huma, with its tuft in the form of an emerald surmounted by a pearl, was made in Mysore (Karnataka) and is dated circa 1787-91 (Inv. no. RC 48482).
Saleroom notices
Please note that the estimate for this lot is £12,000-18,000, as stated in the printed catalogue, and not as stated in the online catalogue.