Seed Newsvine
Gold cobra-head braid ornament (nagar) set with rubies,
emeralds, diamonds, and pearls
South India, 18th century
2 x 2 inches
Susan L. Beningson Collection (057.47)
Gold crown for the image of a deity, enameled and set with rubies,
emeralds, and diamonds
Central India, late 18th or early 19th century
5 1/2 x 10 1/4 inches (base)
Susan L. Beningson Collection (057.20)
Gold Chettiar “tali”
Tamil Nadu, 19th century
29 1/8 inches (length)
Susan L. Beningson Collection (057.114)
Gold pendant for a deity, set with rubies and emeralds,
some of them engraved, and diamonds
South India, 18th-early 19th century
4 1/8 x 4 5/8 inches
Susan L. Beningson Collection (057.24)
Nose rings of gold, pearls, semi-precious stones, and glass
Maharashtra or Gujarat, 19th century
Clockwise from top: 2 3/8 x 1 5/8 inches; 2 x 1 3/4 inches;
5 7/8 x 2 3/8 inches; 2 x 1 5/8 inches
Susan L. Beningson Collection (057.74-057.77)
Gold pendant set with rubies and emeralds
Tamil Nadu, 17th century
1 3/8 x 2 1/4 inches
Susan L. Beningson Collection (057.36)
Double-sided gold earrings with pearls
Travancore, possibly 16th century
1 3/4 x 1 1/8 x 1/2 inches, each
Susan L. Beningson Collection (057.58)
Ivory and gold comb with ruby knob
Karnataka, late 18th century
4 1/8 x 2 3/4 inches
Susan L. Beningson Collection (057.155)
Gold bracelet with enamel work, set with rubies,
diamonds, and pearls
South India, late 18th century
2 3/4 inches diameter
Susan L. Beningson Collection (057.129)
Silver collyrium (kajal) container called “surmadani,”
with gilding
Rajasthan, 18th century
3 1/2 x 1 3/8 inches
Susan L. Beningson Collection (057.150)
(front)
(back)
Gold necklace set with diamonds, edged with a
border of seed pearls, and hung with emeralds
and seed pearls
North India, 19th century
5 1/2 x 5 7/8 inches
Susan L. Beningson Collection (057.93)
Pair of gold ear covers (karnapatras), set with rubies
and emeralds
Orissa, late 17th or early 18th century
2 7/8 x 2 1/8 inches
Susan L. Beningson Collection (057.30)
When Gold Blossoms: Indian Jewelry from the Susan L. Beningson Collection
February 16, 2008 – May 11, 2008
This exhibition, organized by American Federation of the Arts, showcases the stunning beauty and intricate technical craftsmanship of Indian jewelry from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Primarily from south India, the works include rings, anklets, pendants for the hair, jeweled crowns, ivory combs and a gold throne for a deity. The works are predominately solid gold and often encrusted with rubies and other stones in geometric forms that exemplify the south Indian style. A small group of ancient artifacts also are included: sandstone seals and gold adornments dating back to the 2nd century BC. A catalog published by Asia Society, New York, accompanies the exhibition.
The exhibition is organized by the Asia Society and Museum, New York and the national tour of the exhibition is organized by the American Federation of Arts. The national tour of this exhibition is made possible, in part, by the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, with additional support from the Philip and Janice Levin Foundation Fund for Collection-Based Exhibitions at the American Federation of Arts.
For more information please visit: The Phoenix Museum of Art
-Joanne Molina
