A rare Mughal-era emerald necklace sold for $6.2 million at a Christie’s auction in New York in June. The lot sold for more than double its high estimate.
The historic 275-year-old necklace is made from five Colombian emeralds weighing a total of 1,178.50 carats (8.3 oz/235 g) on gold and purple cords. Three of the emeralds are cut in a hexagonal shape – the largest weighs 470 carats and is engraved with the words “Ahmad Shah Durr-i Durran” (Pearl of pearls) – while the other two are pear-shaped.
The necklace has a legendary provenance: it was once part of the famous Mughal treasury that fell into the hands of the Persian ruler Nader Shah during his invasion of Delhi in 1739. Nader Shah, remembered as one of the most feared military leaders in Persian history and the former custodian of the Koh-i-Noor diamond, seized vast riches from the Mughal court, including the necklace.
The auction house estimated the piece at between $2 million and $3 million, but heated bidding pushed the final price to $6.2 million. The buyer remains unknown.
The auction house said the sale highlights a growing interest in royal and colonial-era jewellery, particularly from South Asia and the Middle East. Christie's described the necklace as "an exceptional example of stone carving, royal heritage and the cultural fusion of one of the most influential periods in the history of jewellery design."
Hélène Tarin, Editor-in-Chief of the Asian Bureau, Rough&Polished
