Emperors' ultimate jewel swells family fortune
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A MAGNIFICENT 17th-century Mogul emerald almost as large as an apple was sold by Bonhams yesterday for pounds 231,000. It went to an anonymous American collector, bidding by telephone from Hong Kong.
The hexagonal gem with delicately engraved foliage and flora was set as a brooch with diamonds and pearls in 1915 by Cartier. Yesterday's underbidder was the Cartier Museum in Geneva.
At 430 carats, it is the largest emerald ever sold at auction. Bonhams believes that it is the largest recorded emerald carved under the patronage of the Mogul court in India.
Stephen Giles, director of jewellery at Bonhams, said Mogul emperors and rajas vied with one another to possess important gems: 'The ultimate of all jewels were emeralds because they represented the final level of spiritual aspiration and were believed to possess mystical healing powers through their ability to blind snakes and dragons.'
Its more recent owner was Victoria Sackville-West, later Lady Sackville (1862-1936), mother of Vita Sackville-West. It was sold yesterday by a family member.
In New York, a 15th-century Korean dish broke the record for any porcelain after selling for dollars 3.082m ( pounds 2m) at Christie's (estimate dollars 300-dollars 400,000). It also broke the record for any Korean art.
(Photograph omitted)
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments