A RAJAH'S JEWELS..

Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 69, 24 March 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

A RAJAH'S JEWELS..

In giving an account of a visit to the Gaekwar of Baroda, the correspondent of the Daily Telegraph gives the following description of the Prince's jewels : — : ' The ride concluded with a call at- the Gaekwar's city palace to inspect the State jewels. Indian ladies call these santosha, 1 contentments ; ' and she must be hard to satisfy, of whatever colour or country, who would not be made happy with a small portion of the regalia of Baroda. The chief karkoon of His Highness first drew out of an old marmalade pot of tin, seven or eight splendid artioles of gemmed work, a lovely emerald ring, a bunch of rubies like sultana grapes, a priceless diamond ring, an engraved darktinted sapphire, and earrings of pearls to marvel at and covet. Next he opened a series of silk-covered cases, disclosing, among other wonders, a necklet of five hundred table diamonds, clasped with great emeralds, one of the diamonds being as big as a thrush's egg, and known as the ' Star of Deccan.' There -was a necklet also of pearls — seven rows and a pendant — picked to a nicety, and swelling from the size of a pea to that of a grape, all perfect for milky beauty. Altogether the precious vanities represented a value of over three-quarters of a million, and we were not surprised to see them guarded by sepoys with fixed bayonets, and provided with a barred iron strong-room for greater security.