Rare Diamond, Emerald Spectacles From Mughal Era To Be Auctioned In UK

The diamond pair of glasses and the emerald pair will go on display at Sotheby's London from October 22 in the lead up to their auction

A pair of rare bejewelled spectacles from an unknown princely treasury from 17th century Mughal era in India will be offered at auction for the first time, with estimates of GBP 1.5 million and GBP 2.5 million each, Sotheby's London announced today.

The diamond pair of glasses, named the Halo of Light, and the emerald pair, named the Gate of Paradise, will go on display at Sotheby's London from October 22 in the lead up to their auction at the Arts of the Islamic World & India sale on October 27.

"These extraordinary curiosities bring together myriad threads - from the technical mastery of the cutter and the genius of craftsmanship to the vision of a patron who chose to fashion two pairs of eyeglasses quite unlike anything ever seen before," said Edward Gibbs, Chairman, Sotheby's Middle East & India.

"They are undoubtedly a marvel for gemologists and historians alike, and it is a real thrill to be able to bring these treasures to light and to offer the world the opportunity to wonder at their brilliance and the mystery behind their creation," he said.