Treasures of the Mughals and the Maharajas: The Al Thani Collection

This book is extraordinary. The photos of the Mughal Jewelry are spectacular.

For the Jewellery collector a must get book amazing pictures and great information

Please forgive me as I try to find the words that will adequately describe the beauty of this exhibition of over 250 precious items of jewellery presently on display at the Ducal Palace because the beauty of each item as you page through this magnificent collection of photographs is truly awe-inspiring.I have always loved Indian jewellery and many of my own pieces originate in that country. Not, I must hastily add, that they come close to the design or manufacture of the items displayed, but I hope that whoever made mine might be descendent of one of the many thousands of families who have been creating these rare pieces for over the past five centuries.It is not surprising that India has been able to produce jewellery for centuries as the country is home to some of the world’s deposits of diamonds, sapphires from Kashmir and spinels from Badakhshan. Pearls would wash up from the Persian Gulf during the monsoons. Gold was also discovered in India or traded for spices and textiles.Jewellery is not simply for adornment. Hindus use gems to reflect the significance of an event. Gems are often still used as talismans. Certain gems, including images or inscriptions engraved on them, are used as a protection against an illness or curse.If you are not able to get to Venice to see this exhibition, then I suggest that you purchase this book so that, like me, when in a contemplative mood, you too can sit and open the book randomly or deliberately page through this collection of the most beautiful use of gems and gold I have ever seen.TreebeardBreakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.