In celebration of the Maharaja exhibition launch
at the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco,
SACHI, Society for Art & Cultural Heritage of India,
cordially invites you to attend an illustrated presentation on Indian jewelry.
The Magic of India’s Jewels
An Introduction to Mughal Jewels from Royal Households
and unique Gold Dowry and Temple Jewelry Traditions in South India

Free Admission; Limited seating
RSVP to nazehler@aol.com or 650.624.8888

Muslim rulers in the Mughal courts introduced a new jewelry tradition in India which reflected their love of precious stones and passion for exquisite enameled works. Their use of abundant jewelry was tempered by the restrained elegance of each piece of adornment. Vast quantities of jewels stored in court treasuries were lavished on the Princes of India.

In contrast to Mughal traditions in North India, the South, including the Deccan, which escaped Mughal rule, preserved a much older tradition of gold dowry and temple jewelry. Both reinforced the storing and inheritance of vast quantities of gold passed on as family wealth and temple treasures. Jewelry pieces fashioned in pure gold and decorated with a pantheon of Hindu deities characterized women’s adornment and votive pieces stored in South Indian temples.

About the speaker:
Sue Ollemans, a visiting scholar from London, specializes in Oriental works of art focusing mainly on Indian jewelry, Indian miniature paintings, and also Chinese ceramics. Her latest catalogue is titled, Indian Jewellery. She trained at the Percival David Foundation and SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies) London University, and has been working with collectors and museum institutions around the world since 1979.