East Meets West: Jewels of the Maharajas from the Al Thani Collection

Explore themes of influence and exchange between India and Europe through jewelry, jewel-encrusted jades, famous gemstones, enameled gold and other precious works of art. East Meets West will feature over one hundred and fifty objects made in India or inspired by India, ranging in date from the seventeenth century to the 1930s.

Under successive rulers, Indian jewelry and works of art developed different characters. The Mughals arriving in the sixteenth century brought Persian and Muslim influences; the British raj in the nineteenth century imported European styles and craftsmanship; but in the twentieth century, influences flowed in the opposite direction with Indian jewelry inspiring great European jewelry houses, such as Cartier, to make pieces in the Indian style.

Gender also played a significant role; the magnificent jewelry made in India was destined exclusively for men to wear, whereas in Europe significant jewelry was worn by women. Conversely, great jewelry made for European queens such as Catherine the Great of Russia, could be happily worn by male maharajas in India.

This exhibition will also include a “treasury” showcasing famous gemstones such as the Arcot II diamond (formerly belonging to the Queen of England), the Idol’s Eye (once owned by Imelda Marcos), the Indore sapphire, and other treasures like a jade dagger owned by Shah Jahan, the builder of the of Taj Mahal.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website.