National Portrait Gallery commissions Emma Chapman

Jewellery designer Emma Chapman will design a range of jewellery to tie into the Indian Portrait exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery coming March. Known for her opulent designer gemstone jewellery, Emma Chapman takes her inspiration from her travels to the Far East and ancient Regal Eras, and then gives the designs a contemporary twist.

The commissions for the National Portrait Gallery include her Celestial Earrings in lapis lazuli, turquoise and crysophase in 22ct gold vermeil, which are inspired by the Mandala, a form of ancient ritualistic geometric designs used in Buddism and Hinduism, which have mystical significance. It also includes her Navratna Pendant – Navratna is believed in Indian mythology to safeguard against all misfortune, ward off danger and remove obstacles in life. Each petal of the pendant represents the positive aspects of the key planets and contains different gemstones.

The Indian Portrait Exhibition 1560-1860 opens in March and tells the story of the Indian Portrait over three centuries. It explores the way in which Indian artists have approached the depiction of the human form and the changing role of portraiture in Indian history.