Updated on 06/10/2015
The ornament sold for £68,500 inc. premium
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Lot 123
A FINE GEM-SET ENAMELLED GOLD TURBAN ORNAMENT (JIGHA)
North India, 18th Century
£30,000 – 40,000
Details:
A fine gem-set enamelled gold Turban Ornament (Jigha) North India, 18th Century.
Set with diamonds, carved emerald and pink tourmaline in gold, on a lac core; the central section in the form of a rosette set with a pink tourmaline of octagonal outline and polished surface, surrounded by diamonds; surmounted by a floral bud, set with a drop shaped carved emerald, with diamond-set leaf motifs and surround; the curved tapering aigrette above comprising a line of graduated diamonds with a diamond-set border on either side in pointed leaf settings, terminating in a diamond-set flower head with a pearl suspension; the reverse with elegant gold floral enamelled decoration on a green ground, a receptacle for a feather (kalgi); hinged enamelled stem (tana) below the gem-set rosette with similar green and gold enamelling
History according to the Auction house
In the summer of 1799, Maharaja Ranjit Singh had taken over Lahore. In the decade that followed, he set about consolidating the Sikh Empire. The north western and north eastern frontiers of the Punjab no longer posed a threat and he had crossed the Sutlej twice with his army. He had been proclaimed as sovereign of the Punjab, although not in the eyes of the British and with some reluctance by the chiefs of the Cis-Sutlej states, including Patiala. By repute given by Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839) to Maharaja Sahib Singh of Patiala(1773-1813) in 1808, thence by descent
The jigha is thought to have been on the turban of Maharaja Ranjit Singh when he met Maharaja Sahib Singh of Patiala in November 1808 and they exchanged turbans as a sign of conciliation.
Location
Bonhams
ISLAMIC AND INDIAN ART
6 Oct 2015, starting at 14:00 BST.
London, New Bond Street