Christie’s will offer Mughal jewels from a royal collection at its upcoming New York sale, including a necklace bearing 1,150 carats of Colombian emeralds.
The lead piece from the collection is a carved emerald necklace inscribed with the name Ahmad Sha Durr-I-Durran, founder of the Durrani Empire of Afghanistan and northwest India, Christie’s said Friday. The center stone, which is the largest in the 1,150-carat piece, weighs 470 carats. The jewel has been around since 1612 and has been mentioned in Mughal history along with the Timor Ruby and the Koh-i-Noor diamond. It carries an estimate of up to $3 million.
The piece will feature with two other Mughal jewels at the June 17 New York Magnificent Jewels sale. Alongside that offering, Christie’s will present the collection of philanthropist Anne Hendricks Bass, which contains 26 pieces, including those from well-known design houses such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari, Cartier, and JAR.
Those two collections will join a “significant” group of nine Van Cleef & Arpels Mystery-Set jewels that belonged to philanthropist Lucille Coleman.
Here are some of the other pieces at the sale:
Main image: The Mughal carved emerald necklace. (Christie’s)
