Indian Pendant with Mughal Courtly Miniature Paintings

This oval pendant has four images in gouache and gold paint on thin ivory sheet of four courtly figures, likely to be Emperor Shah Jahan (on the left); Mumtaz Mahal, wife of Shah Jahan (on the right); Emperor Jahangir (smaller, on the top); and Nur Jahan, wife of Jahangir (smaller and on the bottom).

Fine floral and leaf work in gold decorates the spaces between the portraits.

The portraits are under a custom-made thin sheet of slightly domed glass, and all housed in a gilded copper frame.

Such images, made in the British oval portrait format, were made in Delhi in the 19th century and drew on past historical figures. They were done by highly skilled Indian miniaturists for the local European market.

The example here is in fine condition.

Note: this item contains antique ivory but which amounts to less than 10% by volume. It therefore has, as is required by UK law, a non-transferable, UK Ivory Act 2018 exemption permit, submission reference number: UEDNUAYG