- Necklace
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Necklace
- Object:
Necklace
- Place of origin:
Madras (made)
- Date:
ca. 1850 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Unknown
- Materials and Techniques:
Engraved gold, set with rubies, diamonds and pastes
- Museum number:
03314(IS)
- Gallery location:
South Asia, Room 41, case 10
The sliding gold chain supports a gold pendant set with rubies, diamonds and pastes (imitation precious stones), which may also be worn as a brooch. The necklace shows obvious European influence in its form and claw-set stones, but the motifs are larger than those of Western models and the gauge of the metal slightly thicker.
The piece was acquired as being from Madras from an unnamed exhibition in 1855 by the Indian Museum. This museum was formed by the East India Company in the early 19th century and housed in the company’s premises in London, before being divided between the South Kensington Museum (now the V&A) and the British Museum in 1879. The necklace was approvingly described at the time as having ‘a very chaste design’.
