Page 73 - 2021 April 1, ART OF THE ISLAMIC AND Indian Worlds Including Oriental Rugs, Christie's London

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A PAIR OF ENAMELLED AND GEM-SET BANGLES (KADA)
PROBABLY HYDERABAD, INDIA, 19TH/20TH CENTURY
The exteriors set with white sapphire leaves on a green ground, the interior decorated with polychrome
flowers and leaves, each terminating in two confronted tiger's heads with cats-eye set eyes and ruby-set
collars, each with screw pin fastening
Each 4in. (10.2cm.) diam. (2)
£30,000-50,000 US$43,000-70,000
€35,000-58,000
PROVENANCE:
Ex-collection Nizam of Hyderabad, by repute
Private collection, UK, pre-1980
Rigid bracelets with stylised zoomorphic head terminals are well known in India and were made in the
north as well as the south. They are often seen on circular, gem-set enamelled bracelets with the hinged
clasp rendered in the form of confronting animal heads such as the mythical makara, peacocks, tigers
and elephants. The combatant tiger heads in the present example symbolise power and courage and are
reminiscent of aristocratic entertainment practised at Mughal and other Indian royal courts.

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