An amulet, carved as a rose, white nephrite jade, inset diamond and other stones in gold or gilt metal, Mughal empire

An amulet or pendant, carved in white nephrite jade as a fully open rose with eight petals, with a lightly polished surface. The back is convex with carved decoration resembling the back of the flower with a central calyx. The front is essentially flat but carved in low relief with the petals curling forward at the very tips. The centre of the flower is formed by a single inset, faceted diamond in a gold or gilt metal setting. This is surrounded by eleven small cabochons in reflective, closed-back settings that were once coloured green but which have since deteriorated. Surrounding the cabochons is a decorative border of gold or gilt metal. In the centre of the edge of one of the petals there is an integral, carved lug that has been drilled with a hole that lies parallel to the edge of the petal. This lug has a narrow groove cut into its surface around the edge and its sides.

This amulet was acquired by William Tayler during his time in India (1829-1867). He subsequently sold it to the South Kensington Museum (later renamed the Victoria & Albert Museum) in 1874 for the sum of £1-0-0.

William Tayler was educated in England at Charterhouse and also spent a term at Christ Church, Oxford. He entered service with the East India Company on 30th April 1829, arriving in India in October of the same year. He held various posts in Bengal and was appointed Commissioner of Patna in 1855. During his service, he was able to acquire many objects, including hardstones, relating to the customs and religions of India as well as objects from other parts of South Asia.
He was criticised for his handling of the uprisings in Northern India and was moved to a lesser post before being suspended, ultimately resigning on 29th March 1859. He then practised as an advocate in the law courts of Bengal before returning to England in 1867.
He wrote a book about his experiences, entitled Thirty-eight Years in India, in which he states that "After my return to England, circumstances induced me, though with great reluctance, to part with the collection which is now in the South Kensington Museum".

This amulet was made within the Mughal empire, probably in the late 18th or early 19th century. According to William Tayler, the English owner who bought it in India, it was deemed to protect the wearer from harm or misfortune - in this case "against palpitation of the heart". It has been fashioned in white nephrite jade then inset with gold and gems. Tayler sold it to the museum in 1874.

1192-1874