The San Francisco Exhibition (2018-2019): "East Meets West"
While there was not a major Al Thani exhibition in San Francisco in 2014, the collection arrived at the Legion of Honor (Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco) in late 2018 for a major exhibition titled "East Meets West: Jewels of the Maharajas from the Al Thani Collection."
Focus: This exhibition explored the cross-cultural exchange between the Indian subcontinent and European jewelry houses. It detailed how Indian royalty adopted Art Deco styles from Paris, while Western designers were simultaneously inspired by Indian gem-cutting and vibrant color palettes.
Architectural Influence: The Legion of Honor display was praised for its immersive design, which mirrored the opulence of Indian palaces and administrative centers.
Rare Artifacts:
The Nawanagar Ruby Necklace, created by Cartier in 1937 for the Maharaja of Nawanagar.
The Tiger Eye Diamond, a 61.50-carat cognac-colored diamond found in an aigrette (turban ornament) designed by Cartier in 1934.
A ceremonial sword from the kingdom of Hyderabad, encrusted with diamonds, rubies, and emeralds.
Historical and Religious Significance
These exhibitions were significant because they contextualized jewelry not merely as decorative finery, but as symbols of statehood, power, and religious devotion.
Many of the pieces featured "Navaratna" (nine gems) arrangements, which hold profound astrological significance in Indian culture. The preservation of these artifacts through the Al Thani Collection allows for the study of the craftsmanship of the Sunar (goldsmith) and the Jahari (jeweler), whose techniques have defined Indian heritage for centuries.
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| Sarpech The Nizam jewelry India natural diamonds.com |
The Nizams of Hyderabad, India had a huge treasury of gems and jewels that could be awe-inspiring . Among them was a prized Sarpech, considered the ultimate symbol of royalty. The Nizams' Sarpech features a Polki diamond set using Kundan goldwork with Meenakari on the reverse side and tumbled spinel drops..........
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| artandantiquesmag.com |
Above image: Rosewater sprinkler, North India, 1675–1725, gold, rubies, emeralds, and pearls.Al Thani Collection in San Francisco .........
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| Pendant, India, artandantiquesmag.com |
Above image:Pendant, India, circa 1575–1625, pearl, gold, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, glass, enamel, and lac. Al Thani Collection in San Francisco ......
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| Diamond Sarpech India natural diamonds.com |
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| Arcot diamond I artandantiquesmag.com |
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| Arcot diamond II artandantiquesmag.com |
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| artandantiquesmag.com |
Above image: Nawanagar ruby necklace, Cartier, London, 1937, platinum, rubies, and diamonds.Al Thani Collection in San Francisco ......
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| Turban ornaments Image: Richa Goyal Sikri natural diamonds.com |
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| Turban ornament, naturaldiamonds.com |
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| Golconda diamonds,India naturaldiamonds.com image: Richa Goyal Sikri |
Above image: Mined from the Kollur mines(now defunct, in Andhra state) of the then Golconda region in India, the Mirror of Paradise and the Pink Golconda are two of the most dazzling natural diamonds in the world. Al Thani Collection.............
https://www.naturaldiamonds.com/in/epic-diamonds-in/the-al-thani-collection-of-royal-gems-and-jewels
https://www.artandantiquesmag.com/al-thani
K. N. Jayaraman (Author: navrangindia.blogspot.com)
