If you thought that glasses from Bulgari and Dolce and Gabana were expensive, you are in for a surprise. Two spectacles from the Mughal era have recently surfaced, and their lenses are entirely made of gemstones. That’s not all; even the frames of these glasses are wholly encrusted in gems as well.
These glasses are one of the rare surviving pieces of jewelry craftsmanship from the Mughal era. Their value and rarity are a consequence of the large gemstone lenses. It is believed that these glasses helped the wearer ward off evil and gain enlightenment.
The Bejeweled Glasses
The first pair, Halo of Light, is made from a single 200-carat diamond that may have been the largest in the world. The second pair, Gate of Paradise, is made from a Colombian emerald that may have weighed over 300 carats.
Back then, diamonds were believed to be vehicles for celestial light and enlightenment. In comparison, the green color of the emerald is linked to eternal life, paradise, and salvation in Islam. The Mughal Empire was the most advanced civilization in jewelry making at the time, and therefore it makes sense for its royals to have such outlandish glasses.
The Value.
According to Sotheby’s, these pairs may fetch a price of $2.1 million and $3.5 million each. Plus, their jewel-laden frames and narrow design is oddly on-trend as celebs these days are opting for similar types of glasses for themselves.
Liked reading about these glasses? Then, you will love reading about this Mughal coin!
