India's rich heritage of jeweled artistry is expressed in extravagant and opulent creations that range from ornaments for every part of the body to ceremonial court objects such as boxes, daggers, and thrones. Treasures from India presents more than sixty iconic works from the renowned Al-Thani collection, including pieces created for the imperial Mughals in the seventeenth century, others made for the nizams of Hyderabad and the maharajas of the Rajput courts from the eighteenth to the twentieth century, Indian-inspired jewelry fashioned by Cartier and other Western firms, and contemporary designs. The lucid text discusses the significance of these objects within the history of Indian jeweled arts, demonstrating how they stand among the highest expressions of Indian culture.

Published to accompany the exhibition "Bejewelled Treasures: The Al Thani Collection," held at the Victoria and Albert Museum, 21 November 2015 - 28 March 2016.

"Treasures from India presents 60 iconic works from the world-renowned Al-Thani collection, accompanied by a text that introduces readers to their significance within the history of Indian jeweled arts. Included are some of the earliest pieces created for the imperial Mughals in the 16th century, others made for Maharajahs of the 18th through 20th centuries, and later Indian-inspired works created by Cartier in the 20th century. These examples represent the range and scope of the finest expression of the jeweled arts in India, and stand among the highest expressions of Indian culture and artistry."--Publisher's website.

Published on the occasion of the extraordinary exhibition in Venice, the book allows readers to immerse themselves in the jewellery traditions of the Indian subcontinent, from the Mughal period to the modern day, installed within an evocative and ethereal setting. The evolution of gem-setting and jewellery is shown through over two hundred and seventy exceptional pieces from The Al Thani Collection, together with major works on loan from prestigious institutions and private collections. Famous historic Indian diamonds, spectacular precious objects and legendary pieces of jewellery are brought together to represent the evolution of taste and technique in India's jewelled arts over five centuries. From the Great Mughals to the Maharajas: Jewels from The Al Thani Collection also presents the major developments in Indian jewellery traditions, from the peak of 17th century Mughal imperial patronage through years of political chaos and colonisation from the 18th century onwards, to the age of the Durbar , great ceremonies that provided Indian sovereigns with a new setting in which to show off their jewels during the time of the British Raj.

This stunning book focuses on four centuries of magnificent jewelry that resulted from the cultural exchange between India and Europe. From the dawn of the Mughal Empire through the end of the British Raj, exquisite pieces of jewelry from or inspired by India traveled between Europe and Asia. This book features more than 150 objects, including jewel-encrusted jades, famous gemstones, enameled gold, and other precious works of art that range in date from the 17th century to the 1930s, along with exquisite contemporary examples by JAR and Baghat that draw from earlier motifs. Between the 16th and 19th centuries, Indian jewelry and works of art developed Persian and Muslim influences brought over by the Mughal Empire while European styles and craftsmanship traveled to India via the British Raj. As illustrated in this elegant book, 20th-century influences flowed in the opposite direction when Indian jewelry inspired European designers to make pieces in the Indian style. East Meets West also showcases the significant role that gender played, as Indian men adorned themselves with treasures worn exclusively by women in Europe. With fascinating essays and beautiful photographs, this book illustrates the cultural and artistic conversations that resulted in some of the most gorgeous jewelry ever created. Copublished by the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and DelMonico Books

This spectacular volume reveals for the first time an exceptional private collection of the most beautiful royal Indian jewels from the Mughal Empire to the British Raj to today. Written by renowned jewelry experts and featuring magnificent original photography by Laziz Hamani, Beyond Extravagance explores the centuries-long tradition of fine jewelry and art objects in India, to contemporary interpretations that continue to evolve today.

Jewelry as an art form in Mughal India has probably never been surpassed by any other civilization in the history of the world.