Decoding Opulence

Richa Goyal Sikri gives us an exclusive preview into the upcoming auction by Christie’s

- Richa Goyal Sikri

A piece of jewellery is more than just a beautiful object. Especially in India, and more so in the case of the collections of erstwhile royal families. While it is tempting to focus on the clichéd images of maharajas and maharanis as symbols of decadence and excess, it is important to gain a deeper understanding of the royal culture intricately woven in the very fabric of ancient India.

Along with instructions on statehood and strategy, ancient Indian literature such as the Arthashastra (4th century BC), also underscored the importance of acquiring gems of exceptional quality, which would bolster the treasury of a kingdom. According to rajadharma or the ‘duties of a ruler’, it was necessary to behave in a manner befitting his or her exalted position, which also included wearing gems and jewellery that built a visual narrative, and invited respect and love for a leader who was considered an instrument of god.

The Maharajas & Mughal Magnificence, a collection comprising 400 gems, jewels, and objects, will be offered by Christie’s in a landmark auction this June in New York and represents over five centuries of Indian royalty’s unique and extraordinary appetite for beauty. The offering represents less than seven percent of the Al Thani Collection, and all proceeds will go to benefit a future exhibition space at the Hôtel de la Marine, Paris.