Lecture
Asian Art and History From Hyderabad to Houston:
The Nizam’s Sarpech
Bradley Bailey, Ph.D., Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Curator of Asian Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Made from dozens of flat-cut Golconda diamonds, the Houston sarpech represents one of the finest examples of jewelry from the court of Hyderabad in an American public collection. Besides its stunning jewels, gold and enamels, the sarpech also represented prosperity, power and kingship, making it a powerful symbol when worn. This lecture explores how this stunning masterpiece was made, used and, finally, exported to the U.S., where it was acquired by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
This presentation is part of the Asian Art and History series.
Image: Tombstone for Sarpech, Indian, Deccan. Sarpech (Turban Ornament), early 18th century. Gold, silver, diamonds, and enamel. 5 3/8 × 9 × 1/2 inches. Museum purchase funded by the Alfred C. Glassell, Jr. Accessions Endowment Fund, 2021.44. Photo credit: Photography © The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.