Jewels of Nizam

Source: Google Wikipedia

The Jewels of the Nizams of Hyderabad State are among the largest and most expensive collection of jewels in present-day India.[1] The jewels belonged to the Nizams. After the annexation of their kingdom by Union of India, the Nizam and his heirs were barred by the Indian government from removing the collection, claiming that it was a national treasure.

Once the Nizams' state regalia, the ornaments date from the early 18th century to the early 20th century. Crafted in gold and silver and embellished with enameling, the jewels are set with Colombian emeralds, 99% diamonds from the Kollur Diamond Mine in Guntur district and diamond mine in Krishna district (Andhra Rayalaseema Diamond mines group, Burmese rubies and spinels, and pearls from Basra and the Gulf of Mannar.

There are 173 jewels, which includes emeralds weighing nearly 2,000 carats (0.40 kg), and pearls exceeding 40,000 chows. The collection includes gemstonesturban ornaments, necklaces and pendantsbelts and bucklesearringsarmbandsbangles and braceletsankletscufflinks and buttonswatch chains, and ringstoe rings, and nose rings. Among them is the seven-stringed Basrah pearl necklace, known as Satlada, which has 465 pearls embedded in it.

 Some of the finest jewels of the collection are being shown below:

 Nizam of Hyderabad "Satlada" Pearl Necklace

Source: Internet stones.com Network

Other remarkable pieces in the Nizams’ collection include a seven-strand pearl necklace, known as satlada (meaning seven strings), which contains approximately 465 Basra pearls. The pearls are from the city of Basra, in modern-day Iraq. Pearls from this region have been treasured for hundreds of years, for their perfectly spherical shape, silvery-white color and beautiful iridescence.

  "The Nizam of Hyderabad Necklace" displayed during preview at Christie's Maharajas and Mughal jewelry sale in New York |INDIA TODAY ARTICLE 2019

SARPECH (Turban ornament),
Deccan, 19th century, Gold, diamonds, spinels, enamel Private collection

  

 Royal Indian Jewelry - Sarpech-khurd-zamarrud-wa-kanval-almas  and Sarpech-yakhoot-wa-kanval-almas 

Sarpech-khurd-zamarrud-wa-kanval-almas was studded with over 30 emeralds (total 510 ct) and diamonds (total 90 ct). It was bought by Indian govt in 1995 for INR 50 million.

Sarpech-yakhoot-wa-kanval-almas set in gold, with rubies (110 ct) and diamonds (111 ct) - total weight 145.65 gm - was bought by govt for INR 20 million.

CHINTAK (Necklace),
Deccan, early 18th century, Gold, diamonds, pearls, emeralds, enamel Private collection

TORA PAON (Anklets), Deccan,
19th century, Gold, diamonds, rubies, emeralds Courtesy Ministry of Culture, Government of India (NJ 95.94/1–2)

  PAIZEB (Anklets), Deccan

19th century, Gold, rubies, diamonds, emeralds Courtesy Ministry of Culture, Government of India (NJ 95.96/1–2)

MIR MAHBOOB ALI KHAN,
Hyderabad, 19th century, Chowmahalla Palace Collection, Hyderabad

CHAMPAKALI (Necklace) Deccan,
early 18th century Gold, diamonds, emeralds, enamel Private collection

TORA PAON (Anklets) Deccan,
early 19th century Gold, diamonds Private collection

PAIZEB (Anklets) Deccan,
early 19th century Gold, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, pearls Private collection

TAGS: ANKLETSARTISTRYCHOWMAHALLA PALACE COLLECTIONGOVERNMENT OF INDIAHERITAGEHYDERABADINDIAJEWELLERY HISTORYJEWELSMINISTRY OF CULTUREMUSEUMNIZAM’S JEWELSTREASURES OF THE DECCANUSHA BALAKRISHNAN

 

Kanthi Almas Kanval -- Gold necklace set with diamonds: The Telegraph online tradition by Smita Tripathi 2019

 

Kanthi Dolna Almas Wa Mothi -- Necklace of diamond beads strung with pearls: The Telegraph online tradition by Smita Tripathi 2019

Baglus Almas -- Gold buckle set with diamonds: The Telegraph online tradition by Smita Tripathi 2019

Hansli Parab Mai Aweeza Zamarrud -- Gold necklace set with diamonds and emerald drops: The Telegraph online tradition by Smita Tripathi 2019