A RUBY AND SPINEL-ENCRUSTED POLYCHROME-ENAMELLED GOLD PENDANT
Jaipur, Rajasthan, North-Western India, first half 19th century

Of circular shape, the central medallion surmounted by a budding flower and a pair of leaves in profile, with an encrusted drop-shaped spinel bead hanging at the bottom, the front of the gold medallion fully encrusted with rubies, spinels, transparent and green glass beads set against foil, this lapidary tour de force worked in the typical Indian kundan setting in the shape of a central rosette with broad petals and located within a circular frame, the back a masterpiece of enamelling work in the typical early 19th-century Jaipuri palette with hues of red, white, green and light blue, depicting a lush bouquet of tulips surrounded by four parrots facing each other in pairs, 5cm diam. and 8.3cm long.