After an announcement in April — and global tours and exclusive launch dinners through London, Shanghai, Geneva and Hong Kong — Christie’s has brought its landmark collection, Maharajas and Mughal Magnificence, back to New York. Currently on display before a sale on June 19, the 400 lots form “the most valuable and precious collections of jewellery and Mughal objects to ever come to auction”, says Rahul Kadakia, International Head of Jewellery. In addition to creations from royal dynasties dating as far back as the Mughal eras, the sale will also auction India-inspired creations and crossover pieces by international jewellers like Cartier. The pieces, which include a 200-carat Golconda diamond necklace and the 18th century ‘Arcot II’ diamond, all come from the private collection of Qatar’s ruling family, the house of Al Thani. Handpicking the specific pieces was a multi-year process, done with the “true eye of a collector”, he adds.

Source: The Hindu June 14, 2019 13:41 UTC