Bejewelled Treasures: The Al Thani Collection, Victoria & Albert Museum

Autumn 2015 is all about the riches of South Asia for the Victoria & Albert Museum, where a number of special exhibitions and events are taking over to celebrate the wonders of Indian culture. For jewellery connoisseurs and design lovers, we recommend a visit to the Bejewelled Treasures show. Drawn unusually from a single private collection, the V&A presents around 100 magnificent objects both from, and inspired by the jewellery traditions of the Indian subcontinent.

Exhibition highlights

Mounted principally to showcase India's exquisite craftsmanship, the exhibition sheds light on the curious Indian influence on sumptuous leading European houses like Cartier in the early 20th century. Highlights from the Al Thani Collection on show include an Indian turban jewel made for the Maharaja of Nawanagar, a Golconda diamond given to Queen Charlotte in 1767, and a number of Mughal jades - not least a jade-hilted dagger once owned by the illustrious creator of the Taj Mahal, Emperor Shah Jahan. Rounding out the remarkable display are pieces made by contemporary masters exhibiting both Mughal and Art Deco influences.

Part of the diverse V&A India season, the Bejewelled Treasures exhibition celebrates not just the evolution of style and technique, but the fascinating story behind global aesthetic exchange.

Al-Thani's treasures

Sponsored by British antique dealers, Wartski, the majority of the objects on display are from the private collection of Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani, CEO of the Qatari megaholding company Qipco and first cousin of the Emir. Perhaps unsuprisingly for a man of such power and wealth, his collection of jewels is extremely impressive, with dazzling pieces that span the 17th-century Mughal Empire to 21st century Cartier. The inspiring collection captures the history of the rulers of India, from the opulent courts of the Mughals, to the lavish style of the maharajahs and the beauty that India has inspired in contemporary jewel making for centuries.

Enter the world of The Jewellery Editor

"Few people in history have worn jewels as well as India's maharajas - princes who literally wore their wealth on their sleeves"

From Cartier's Tutti Frutti creations to a Jodhpur inspired miniature petal ring, emulate and be inspired by India's glittering heritage with this selection of bejewelled treasures from leading luxury jewellery magazine, The Jewellery Editor.

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