Dr Tara Desjardins, curator of “Set in Stone: Gems and Jewels from Royal Indian Courts”, during the opening of the exhibition at the Museum of Islamic Art, yesterday. Pic: Baher Amin/The Peninsula
More than 100 magnificent pieces of gems, jewellery, works on paper and photography are on display at an exhibition dubbed “Set in Stone: Gems and Jewels from Royal Indian Courts” which opened yesterday at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) as part of Qatar-India 2019 Year of Culture.
The collection includes many masterpieces that have never been displayed before from across Qatar Museums (QM) collections drawn from MIA’s permanent collection, the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ), and QM’s Orientalist Collection.
The exhibition is organised into four sections: “Precious Stones” reveals the cultural and economic importance of stones in India, tracing their history, sourcing, and trade in the early modern period. “Court &Ceremony” explores the role that gems, jewellery and jewelled objects played within a courtly context in the outward projection of wealth and status. “Beyond the Court” demonstrates the personal, private and devotional uses of crafted jewels. “Qatar Connection, Pearls for Gold” recounts the long cultural and commercial exchanges between India and Qatar, as seen through the traditions of pearls and gold, and explores how this lineage has influenced local Qatari jewelry fashion.
Dr. Julia Gonnella, Director of MIA, said: “We are delighted to celebrate the opening of this extraordinary exhibition, developed as part of the Qatar-India Year of Culture. Set In Stone: Gems And Jewels From Royal Indian Courts allows us to present examples of the most spectacular pieces in the Museum of Islamic Art, along with important artworks and objects from other Qatar Museums’ collections.”
Among the highlights of the exhibition are Indian-cut diamonds from the famed mines of Golconda, in the Deccan (southern India), which - until the discovery of new diamond deposits in the 18th century-were the main source of diamonds throughout the world. MIA’s jeweled falcon, which most likely adorned the top of a throne, is a masterpiece of 17th century Mughal craftsmanship and demonstrates the richness of the Mughal court.
Another highlight is the magnificent necklace from Varanasi: composed of seventeen diamonds suspended with gold-collared emeralds surmounted by baroque pearls, this necklace showcases the continued opulence of 19th century Maharajas. The most impressive object on display is known as the ‘Clive flask’, a 17th century jewel-encrusted jade flask that once belonged to Robert Clive, 1st Baron Clive of Plassey (1725- 1774). This object- remarkable for both its beauty and provenance – is being displayed in Doha for the first time.
The exhibition, curated by Dr Tara Desjardins with support of Nicoletta Fazio, Reem Aboughazala and Tamadur Tariq Al Shamlan, is on view until January 18.
