Precious metamorphoses: the necklace of Begum Salimah Aga Khan
This Indian necklace, created in 1971, was part of the collection of Begum Salimah Aga Khan. Born Sarah Croker Poole in India in 1940, during the final days of the British Empire, she was known for her beauty and seen as a fashion icon. In 1969, she married His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan.
Indian inspired necklace, 1971, transformable into two bracelets, Van Cleef & Arpels Collection, Patrick Gries © Van Cleef & Arpels SA.
Detachable pendant-clip, in the former collection of the Begum Salimah Aga Khan, Van Cleef & Arpels Collection, Patrick Gries © Van Cleef & Arpels SA.
Particularly fond of art and jewelry, the princess assembled a remarkable collection of highly original jewels. This impressive necklace, specially commissioned by her husband, is one such creation. Its value and singularity lie in the precious stones adorning it: more than 745 diamonds totaling 52 carats cast their sparkle upon 44 engraved 18th century emeralds weighing over 470 carats in all. Transformable into a choker, two bracelets and a clip, this necklace is a spectacular specimen of the art of metamorphosis dear to Van Cleef & Arpels.
