Yellow gold 750.

Elegant ring, set with a rectangular, table-cut emerald of ca. 17 x 18 mm, carved with a nasta'liq inscription: Imtiyaz al-Dawla Iflikhar al-Mulk Anthony Polier Bahadur Arslan Jang 1188, (1774-75). At the sides, decorated with diamonds in different shapes. Signed Mtd Cartier.

Colonel Antoine Louis Henri Polier (1741-95) was an adventurer working first for the French and then the English East India Companies. Originally from Lausanne, he joined the English company after the defeat of the French in India. Although he was promoted to Major in 1767, he found further promotion blocked by the Company's ruling against officers of foreign extraction rising further in service. During his time in Awadh and Delhi, Polier collected antique Indian miniatures and Indian manuscripts, among other things. As befits a man of such artistic appreciation, the nasta'liq on this seal is of very fine quality.

Provenance:
- Christie's, London, 17 April 2007, lot 179.
- Private property Switzerland, acquired at the above auction.