The Mogul Emerald is one of the world’s largest emeralds. Dated back to AH 1107/1695 AD, this rectangular cut tablet is 217.80 carats and about 10 cm tall.
On one side, it has elegant Islamic prayer inscriptions. The reverse is typical of the naturalistic decoration of the period reflecting the Mughal love of nature:
– It is carved all over with foliate decoration – the central rosette is flanked by single large poppy flowers with a line of 3 smaller poppy flowers on either side
– The beveled edges are carved with cross pattern incisions and herringbone decoration, each of the 4 sides drilled for attachments
This magnificent emerald is worn as a talisman with the inscription facing outward, mounted and secured by the drill holes to each side.
Discovered in Columbia by the Spanish conquistadors, it most likely arrived in India through trade during the Mogul dynasty. Believed to have come from the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb – the last of the great Mogul rulers who controlled much of India, this is the only known carved and dated emerald of the classic Mughal period. It is the benchmark for the dating of all other Indian carved emeralds.
The Mogul emerald was auctioned at Christie’s London for $2.2 million to an anonymous buyer in 2001.
Image credit: Columbia University
Jem Boxx 