Our Heritage pieces are truly one-of-a-kind treasures, each one carefully curated for its exceptional craftsmanship, provenance, and character. These pieces are selected with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring they embody the timeless elegance and cultural richness that define our collection. Because every Heritage item is unique, only a single piece is available, making each acquisition a rare and meaningful addition to any collection.
Each Heritage item is entirely handcrafted using centuries-old techniques that are deeply rooted in India’s rich jewellery traditions. Every piece is thoroughly inspected and expertly fitted by us to ensure it meets the standards of contemporary wear. Together with the client, we review whether any custom adjustments are desired, ensuring the piece aligns perfectly with modern comfort while preserving its historical integrity.
Heritage pieces are delicate and need to be handled with care. Please store your jewellery in the supplied pouches and cases, to prevent them from scratching.
Please avoid contact with water, perfume, other liquids or strong substances.
When not worn, we strongly advise jewellery from our Collections to be stored in the supplied pouch and cases. With the exception of enamelled surfaces, your jewellery can be cleaned with a soft toothbrush and soft jewellery polishing cloth. Avoid any soap
Items featuring waxed cotton cord should be kept away from water and other strong substances.
In our workshop we have a team of specialists who are experts in any restauration, restringing, stone setting or restauration challenge. Please contact concierge@vangelderjewellery.com for a consultation
India, Jaipur/Nathdvara, 19th century
Length: 36 cm
SKU: 1976
Fine cord with three gold enameled fan-shaped pendants, two gold enamelled rectangular pendants and four gold enamelled drop-shaped pendants. A second fine cord with four gold enameled beads is attached to the cord with the pendants, ending on either side with a green glass pear-shaped drop.
All gold pendants depicting the red enamelled ‘Vishnupada’, footprints of Lord Vishnu, also show powder blue enamel, representing the primordial waters. Both drop-shaped pendants on either side of the center pendant are enameled in vegetable green sabz zamin enamel.
The translucent red lal zamin enamel side of five pendants are depicted with ‘Shrinathji, name of a form of Lord Krishna and written in Devangari script, surrounded by a dark blue enameled circle, floral and parrots theme in green and red enamel all on an opaque white ground. The remaining four drop-shaped pendants show a white and green floral design on a red enameled ground and a red and green enameled design on an opaque white enamel ground.
The pendants have alternately suspended rubies and garnets.
These pendants were worn by pelgrims and devotees who worship Shri Nathji and follow the teachings of a religious teacher named Vallabha (1479-1531) This sect emphasized salvation by the grace of God , whose highest form, they believed was Krishna, the eight incarnation (avatar) of Vishnu. The headquarters of the Vallabhacari is the Shri Nathji Mandira (temple) at Nathdwara in Rajasthan. This temple houses a black stone image of Krishna known as Shri Nathji.
Literature
Hendley, Thomas Holbein Indian Jewellery, ill. 212
