Fine Antique Indian Mughal Gold & Gem-set White Nephrite Jade Pendant (Haldili)

This very fine pendant (haldili) is carved from a single, translucent piece of white or ‘mutton fat’ nephrite jade (the colour is more a pale greyish-green and with excellent uniformity). Circa 18th to early 19th century.

It is from northern India and probably made in Delhi. It accords with Mughal tastes, although could be worn by both Muslims and Hindus. It is decorated with various gems among a tree-of-life pattern.

The design is set with four types of gems – A diamond, three rubies, three emeralds and forty sapphire beads on the 21 carat solid gold chain,

The pendant is all in gold kundan settings, and all within a gold border. The gold used is typically as close to 24-carats as possible.

The top has a small rectangular section which is transversely pierced to allow hanging, usually from around the neck.

Such pendants were considered to have talismanic properties. The reverses of some are inscribed with Koranic verses in Arabic or Farsi although the back of this example is plain.

Related examples are illustrated in Bala Krishnan & Kumar (1999, p. 255), Untracht (1997, p. 177) and Geoffroy-Schneiter (2011, p. 87). And click here to see a related example at Sotheby’s London.

This example is particularly fine – indeed, finer than most published examples. It is in very good condition without losses and repairs just a blemish on the lower reverse side.

References

Bala Krishnan, U.R., & M.S. Kumar, Dance of the Peacock: Jewellery Traditions of India, India Book House Ltd, 1999.

Geoffroy-Schneiter, B., Asian Jewellery: Ethnic Rings, Bracelets, Necklaces, Earrings, Belts, Head Ornaments, Skira, 2011.

Keane, M., Treasury of the World: Jewelled Arts of India in the Age of the Mughals – The Al-Sabah Collection Kuwait National Museum, Thames & Hudson,

2001.

Moura Carvalho, P., Gems and Jewels of Mughal India: Jewelled and Enamelled Objects from the 16th to 20th Centuries, The Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art, Volume XVII, The Nour Foundation, 2010.

Untracht, O., Traditional Jewelry of India, Thames & Hudson, 1997

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