Indian bracelet with the heads of a mythical monster from the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum

In the middle of the 18th century, an amazing piece of jewelry was created in the Indian city of Jaipur - a bracelet with two Makara heads, made of solid gold and decorated with 54 diamonds. The decoration is now in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

The bracelet not only impresses with its luxury and sophistication, but also demonstrates the highest skill of jewelers of that time. In its manufacture, the enameling technique known as champlevé was used. In it, the design goes deep into the thickness of the metal: this allows you to create color images where metal and enamel planes alternate.

The enamel applied to the bracelet not only added beauty and sophistication to its design, but also protected the gold from damage, giving the product the necessary rigidity. Thanks to this, the bracelet retained its shape and grace for many centuries.

The clasp is decorated with Makara heads with sapphires and rubies, open mouths with jagged teeth and ruby ​​tongues. This is a mythical sea monster, known in Indian tradition, represented as a giant aquatic animal combining the features of a dolphin, shark and crocodile.

Jaipur was famous for its enamel art and, thanks to the patronage of its Maharajas, escaped the decline that then affected other crafts in India. Enameled bracelets of this type were sent to major international exhibitions held in London in 1851 and Paris in 1855 and 1861.

This bracelet is an example of a combination of mythological symbolism and the highest jewelry craftsmanship of the time. It continues to delight art and history lovers around the world.