Subject: thakur lord, prince
Culture: Rajput
Setting: British Raj, north India mid-19th-early 20thc
* Houston Museum of Natural Science > Smith Gem Vault
"Four 'Chessman' Brooches, c. 1939-1940
Carved Indian ivory chess pieces set with diamonds, rubies, jade, turquoise sapphires, emeralds, citrines, pearls and coral ...
In about 1940 Verdura acquired an antique Indian ivory chess set and created brooches with the various chess pieces. Pawns were given gold monkeys and fans, and camel knights were hung with pearl pendants, elephant rooks were adorned with tassels and precious stone tilakas. The women who wore them could recognize each other as members of Verdura's exclusive clientele wherever they went."
