Archer's Thumb Ring
c. 1700-1750 (made)
| Place of origin |
This Mughal thumb ring has been fashioned in white nephrite jade and was once inset with gold and gems in a floral design, but these have subsequently been removed. Complete examples may be found in the collections however this object makes it possible to observe how such decoration was achieved, by setting gemstones in pure gold (kundan) in the technique unique to the Indian subcontinent. The nephrite jade at this time originated in Xinjiang and was used for many objects made for the Mughal court from the seventeenth century.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | White nephrite jade and gold. Fashioned using abrasives and abrasive-charged tools. |
| Brief description | A thumb ring, white nephrite jade, empty recesses for inset stones and gold, of which only traces of gold now remain, Mughal |
| Physical description | An asymmetric thumb ring, fashioned in off-white nephrite jade with smooth and lightly polished surfaces. The inner surface is smooth and the outer surface has a series of empty recesses that once contained inlaid gold wire and inset gems, in a floral design. However, they have since been removed, with only traces of gold remaining in the crevices. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Credit line | Dr. W. L. Hildburgh Bequest |
| Object history | This archer's thumb ring was stated in the records as being Mughal and dating to the 17th or 18th century. It was owned by Dr. W. L. Hildburgh who bequeathed it to the Victoria & Albert Museum in 1956. |
| Summary | This Mughal thumb ring has been fashioned in white nephrite jade and was once inset with gold and gems in a floral design, but these have subsequently been removed. Complete examples may be found in the collections however this object makes it possible to observe how such decoration was achieved, by setting gemstones in pure gold (kundan) in the technique unique to the Indian subcontinent. The nephrite jade at this time originated in Xinjiang and was used for many objects made for the Mughal court from the seventeenth century. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IS.36-1956 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | June 25, 2009 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
