Press release
206KB
october 07, 2021 - Sotheby
Two magnificent treasures, unparalleled in history
LONDON, October 2021 – A pair of captivating, unrecorded and unique spectacles from an unknown princely treasury give the beholder the gift of observing the world through diamonds and emeralds. The ultimate status symbol, the magnificent artefacts bring together science, beauty and belief – the diamond pair named the Halo of Light, and the emerald pair named the Gate of Paradise.
They will be offered at auction for the first time, with estimates of £1.5 – 2.5 million each, having remained in the same collection for almost half a century. Ahead of the sale in October, the spectacles are being exhibited for the first time, set to go on view to the public in Hong Kong (7-11October) and London (22-26 October).
“These extraordinary curiosities bring together myriad threads – from the technical mastery of the cutter and the genius of craftsmanship to the vision of a patron who chose to fashion two pairs of eyeglasses quite unlike anything ever seen before. They are undoubtedly a marvel for gemologists and historians alike, and it is a real thrill to be able to bring these treasures to light and to offer the world the opportunity to wonder at their brilliance and the mystery behind their creation.”
Edward Gibbs, Chairman of Sotheby’s Middle East & India The story of the spectacles begins in 17th century Mughal India, at a time when imperial wealth, scientific knowledge and artistic endeavour all simultaneously reached their peak. Commissioned by an unknown prince, an artist shaped a diamond, weighing over two hundred carats, and a brilliant emerald, weighing at least three hundred carats, into two masterpieces. Testament to the technical skill involved, no comparable example of either is known to exist. In circa 1890, the lenses were placed in new frames, decorated with rose-cut diamonds.
The original patron for whom these extraordinary spectacles were commissioned remains unknown, but they stem from a rich period of artistic and architectural achievement during the Great Mughal reigns of emperors Akbar (1556–1605), Jahangir (1605–1627), Shah Jahan (1627–1658) and Aurangzeb (1658–1707).
Further information in the press release to download
A pair of Mughal spectacles set with diamond lenses, in diamond-mounted frames, India, lenses circa 17th century, frames 19th century (est. 1,500,000 - 2,500,000) - 2
7154x7153, 2MB
A pair of Mughal spectacles set with diamond lenses, in diamond-mounted frames, India, lenses circa 17th century, frames 19th century (est. 1,500,000 - 2,500,000) - 3
7086x7087, 2MB
A pair of Mughal spectacles set with diamond lenses, in diamond-mounted frames, India, lenses circa 17th century, frames 19th century (est. 1,500,000 - 2,500,000) - 4
7728x5796, 10MB
A pair of Mughal spectacles set with diamond lenses, in diamond-mounted frames, India, lenses circa 17th century, frames 19th century (est. 1,500,000 - 2,500,000)
8984x6732, 7MB
A pair of Mughal spectacles set with emerald lenses, in diamond-mounted frames, India, lenses circa 17th century, frames 19th century (est. £1,500,000-2,500,000) - 2
8989x6739, 4MB
A pair of Mughal spectacles set with emerald lenses, in diamond-mounted frames, India, lenses circa 17th century, frames 19th century (est. £1,500,000-2,500,000) - 3
8993x6737, 4MB
A pair of Mughal spectacles set with emerald lenses, in diamond-mounted frames, India, lenses circa 17th century, frames 19th century (est. £1,500,000-2,500,000) - 4
8014x6011, 11MB
A pair of Mughal spectacles set with emerald lenses, in diamond-mounted frames, India, lenses circa 17th century, frames 19th century (est. £1,500,000-2,500,000)
8984x6732, 5MB
The Astaneh-Ye Ferdaws emerald spectacles + The Halqeh-Ye Nur diamond spectacles
5806x7257, 8MB
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