Central Asia, India, Mughal Empire, ca. 17th to 18th century CE. An 18 karat gold nose ring with twenty-four dangling pearls, some in clusters, most hanging from bell-shaped pieces of gold attached by loops to the ring. A discoid emerald on one side draws the eye with its bright flash of green. Mughal elites adored precious stones, not just for their beauty, but also for protective and magical properties that they believed each stone had. Their incredible jewelry is part of a long tradition that came to its height with the Mughals. When they conquered India from Central Asia, they brought the technical skills to set gems with them. In order to enforce their high social status, the Mughals passed Sumptuary Laws that decreed only members of the upper class could wear jewelry like this. Size: 1.25" W (3.2 cm); emerald is 0.2" (0.5 cm)

Provenance: private San Diego, California, USA collection

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#125788

Slight patina from age. One of the pearls has been replaced, but the others are natural.