A sarpech (Hindi) is a turban ornament worn by the emperor, his family and court members. It was a symbol of royalty and royal favour, and they were ceremoniously presented for services to the court. The shape is derived from the Mughal custom of putting a heron’s feather in the turban as a mark of distinction. A pearl was added to the end of the plume causing it to curve downwards, and the shape of these jewelled objects mimic this elegant practice. This example shows the continuation into the nineteenth century of the tradition of this type of jewellery. It has three ‘plumes’, or feather-shaped sections, and is set with diamonds on the front embellished with emerald drops. The back is decorated with delicate pink enamelling of floral designs and is the work of an enameller trained in the traditional style of Benares. It is stored in the original velvet lined box containing a newspaper cutting from The Gazette of India dated August 6 1887.
