I haven’t always followed auctions because I often felt like it was a little sad that I couldn’t have these things that were being offered, but then I remembered that the purpose of loving beautiful things isn’t to have them, it’s just to enjoy them.
I was reading my latest newletter from ASJRA and the upcoming Bonhams auction of Indian and Islamic Art is fast approaching. Bonhams has featured some pretty incredible pieces that I absolutely had to write about. These are museum quality pieces that any lucky collector will be fortunate to have, and come from Indian royalty in the UK. Hopefully one day they will end up in a museum for the public to see. Here are my favorites with links to the actual pieces and some history on each from Bonhams’ site:
This piece is stunning! Set to fetch between $7,000 and $10,000, it is a beautiful example of a jade amulet that was believed to, “control heart palpitations.” This piece is giving me heart palpitations. I love uncut diamonds. There’s something really special about them; I can’t quite put my finger on what it is, but I adore how they look.
This piece was typically worn for weddings and special occasions, and has a mango motif running throughout it. Simply beautiful. This one is going to go to a very happy home. I can imagine going grocery shopping in this in a simple black tee and well fitting jeans. Best outfit ever.
Look at this thing! Imagine walking around with that tied around your arm for the world to see. Again, uncut diamonds steal the show. How could you not love this so much? I can see this reproduced in a necklace or a repeated motif in a bracelet. I want this one in my own collection but maybe it’ll be inspiration for some jewelry I’m set to make soon…
While this may not be an antique piece, it has the motifs of the 19th century pendant I first listed above. This design and style really speaks to me; I have pieces that are similar to this and I just adore them. Mine aren’t made with precious stones but they still evoke the same history and feeling of opulence in a really classic, simple way. I just can’t enough of the pieces in this auction. My heart is singing!
I want these. Enough said.
Every piece I featured here I could see in my own collection. I hope that if you stumble upon my writing that you enjoy this post. I had too much fun lusting after these pieces and dreaming about the day that I can own history like this. Until next time…
Amita Lathigra 