Customer Reviews

Maharajas' Jewels

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Forget those diamonds that are supposed to be a girl's best friend - they're mere baubles compared to the opulent jewels that covered India's maharajas from turban tips to beringed fingers. Their palaces needed no artificial light as rooms shone with the brilliance of thousands of precious gems.

"Too much" was not in the vocabulary of these rulers as to many possessing and adorning themselves with fabulous jewelry was their raison d'etre. "The Maharaja of Baroda owned five long strands of perfectly matched, pigeon-sized, cream-colored pearls," which he wore in a bib-like drape. Rubies from Burma, emeralds from Brazil, Golconda diamonds and Kashmir sapphires were the decorations of the day.

Some 300 eye-popping photos in this sumptuous folio-size volume attest to princely extravagance, and to the artistry of great jewelers such as Cartier and Boucheron whom the royals commissioned to set their gems. The accompanying text is rich with insights for all who are fascinated by once princely India and enjoy jewels of unparalleled beauty.

This epoch of luxury came to an end in 1947 with India's independence. The maharajahs resigned and their treasures were either exported or hidden. Fortunately, they're gathered once more in this stunning volume.

Being a Rajput from Marwar (present day Jodhpur) I am biased towards anything having to do with my rich culture and ancestor's historical past. This book is no exception...the first time I layed eyes on this piece of art, I knew I had to have it. The book is very informative, rich with detail and exquisite to behold. The author does an excellent job in giving the historical and pictoral migration of India's royal jewels throughout India's tumultuous past to the present day. The photographs are reason enough to purchase this book. What I liked about the book especially was the ability of the author to take some jewels and give the lucid story behind each individual piece and its significance in India's history. The book is a keeper and will look like a piece of ornate gold on any coffee table or bookcase!

Maharajahs' Jewels provides an oversized, lavish examination of maharaja jewelry, considering the history behind royal jewelry making in India and the conditions under which some of the most famous jewelry pieces were manufactured. The stories of the Indian princes and their jewelry will appeal to any interested in Indian history in general and jewelry-making in particular.

Whether one wants a comprehensive, yet accessible, guide to the history of India, the history of fine jewels or indeed a peek at some of the most sumptuous works of art ever created, this is the book for you. This work has been quarried from a mine of Parisian salesrooms, Jewel houses and Indian Palaces with such skill, that the result is a gem of a work which will remain unrivalled for years. If this is your thing, you can not afford to miss this book. If this is not your thing, you still can not afford to miss this book.

Amazing. I spent outside my budget to get this book and it's worth every cent.

I had bought the book "Maharaja's Jewels" by Katherine Prior and John Adamson and I must say that it was truly a wonderful book. For those who have interest in Jewels, Indian history, Royalty, Photography and I think for any one it will be a great experience to read it.

The Authors have brought out the richness of the land in an excellent presentation. The quality of the book in terms of the content, pictures, presentation, the collection of the jewels shown and the history behind them is very well presented.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and certainly recommend to any one with interest in such a book. it should be in any interested person's collection.

Do not be put off by the Carry On film style title of this book, it is a work of outstanding scholarship covering a fascinating subject.

India has always been famous for her amazing jewels, be it structures like the Taj Mahal or amazing Maharajas stones. This book is exquisite, the images are vivid and crisp and the text scholarly. It is just amazing to see these jewels, you just cannot imagine this sort of wealth. When I think of jewels of India I always think of Louis XIV's French Blue, that came from a Maharaja and now is known as the Hope Diamond, it is simply spectacular, it's a shame it was recut after it was stolen during the French Revolution, but it is still one of the most beautiful diamond's in the world. If you have any interest in beautiful jewelery or Indian history in general then you will love this book.

this is a great book for anyone interested in the jewelry and lifestyle of the nobility of this period in india. highly recommend it as a great addition to any library of books on jewelry. has stunning photos and great detail.