Indian necklace (known as a Jungi Marvareed)

This type of necklace is known as a Jungi Marvareed. It comprises of a large pear-shaped pendant (jungi) set with foil-backed faceted diamonds arranged in a trefoil pattern, with a drilled and gold-caped emerald drop suspended. Two emerald bead terminals flank the pendant, suspending from a multi-strand pearl torsade. The diamonds are foiled and set in the traditional kundan technique, with the reverse decorated in red enamelled flowers set against a white ground. The large central diamond is estimated to weight approximately twelve carats. Most probably sourced from the famed diamond mines of Golconda, in the Deccan, this entire necklace was commissioned by the Nizams of Hyderabad sometime during the late 12th or 13th AH/late 18th or 19th century CE; the earlier attribution has been given based on the pendant’s enamelling. Family portraits of the Nizams, especially those of children, reveal the popularity of this kind of jewellery amongst all members of the family.