extreme fondness for precious stones, comprising some of the
most splendid diamonds, pearls, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds,
anywhere to be found. The treasury of Tippoo Sahib, after
his defeat by the English, in 1786, was found to contain jewels
estimated at the enormous sum of four hundred million dollars.
The Prince of Baroda, a most zealous collector, possessed
uncounted treasures in gems, including many of European
celebrity.* It has been said that the jewels of an Indian belle
aggregate more than thirty pounds in weight. The dress of
oriental ladies was always expensive, and has not changed
materially in that matter since the times of the Hebrew
prophets, by whom they were censured for their extravagance
in ear-rings, finger-rings, chains, bracelets, nose-jewels, headbands, tablets or pendants, and anklets, though nearly all the
same kind of ornaments formed a part of male attire in ancient
times, as represented by the sculptures of Persepolis and other
ruined cities.
The aboriginal inhabitants of the Western Continent cherished the same fondness for personal ornament that has always,
characterized the nations of Asia, if we are to judge by the
immense quantity of precious stones brought from Mexico and.
Peru by the Spaniards; nor have Europeans fallen much
behind either the eastern or western races in the use of these,
the richest of nature's material gifts, and the most beautiful of
all her creations.
The House of Burgundy, from Philip the Bold to Charlesthe Bold, the last prince of the line, exceeded all other
European sovereigns of that period in the richness and abundance of their gem-collections, especially of their diamonds. At
* The profusion and beauty of Indian gems exhibited at the London Exposition of 1851, says Professor Tennant, were almost bewildering. The girdle of
a rajah was an object of general interest for its remarkable display of magnificent
emeralds mounted without faceting or polishing.
