Was Emma Chamberlain’s Cartier Choker At Met Gala An Original Indian Treasure? Here’s What We Know
Met Gala brings with it some very unique designs with special tributes given to history. Just like this year’s Met Gala dress code–’Gilded Glamour’ stars from Blake Lively to Kim Kardashian marked their attendance in silhouettes and colours, that brought with them a tale dug out from the pages of history. And now as we lay our eyes on another discovered detail about one of Met Gala 2022’s hosts– Emma Chamberlain, we are loving everything about the Indian link it has.
Serving as the perfect muse to designer label–Louis Vuitton, Emma walked in the three-piece ensemble at this year’s Met Gala. The three piece set on Emma featured a long white skirt, a matching blouse, and a ruched beige cropped jacket. But what has now caught the internet’s attention is a piece of jewellery that the 20-year-old sported on the red carpet. Amongst the studded tiara and drop earrings, Emma’s jewels for the big evening included a stunning choker by designer house–Cartier.
View this post on Instagram
While the choker looks nothing but a diamond dream, its roots have a special Indian mention. Belonging to Maharaja of Patiala Bhupinder Singh, the necklace was reportedly made in the year 1928 when the Punjab royal decided to convert his De Beers diamond which interestingly is the size of a golf ball (seventh-largest diamond in the world) into a piece of jeweller–choker. The exact similar piece that you spotted on Emma is the famous, Patiala necklace. Featuring 2,930 diamonds and Burmese rubies, encrusted into five rows of platinum chains was originally designed by Cartier, as directed by the Maharaja himself.
And amongst the many things, the necklace went missing from the royal treasure and was later found out after 34 years, at a 1982 Sotheby’s auction, without the necklace. The necklace which was rediscovered 18 years later, was then bought by Cartier and revived with extra gemstones attached to replace the missing ones. This early collaboration between Indian royals and Cartier helped French explorer, Jacques Cartier understand India’s high stakes in heirloom treasured jewels, some of which were also displayed in the West to boost Cartier’s brand value. The almost $30 million worth neckpiece is not just a piece of accessory but a memoir of the India’s rich heritage and Indian royals.
While this unintentional display of India’s rich history by Emma was a surprise to many, internet pariwaar seemed both thrilled and disappointed about Emma’s choice of the colonised historical choker.
While we are talking about Kim Kardashian wearing Marilyn Monroe’s dress can we talk please also talk about how Emma Chamberlain literally wore Maharaja Of Patiala’s Cartier Diamond Choker pic.twitter.com/nrD6dUWS7Y
— popreset (@popreset_) May 7, 2022
No shade to Emma, considering she is a Cartier ambassador but this is a very important historic piece that should have been returned to the Sikhs instead of making it a fashion statement pic.twitter.com/LsioU56Cx0
— popreset (@popreset_) May 7, 2022
After accession of Patiala, the choker disappeared from the Royal Treasury along with the infamous Patiala necklace. But it was acquired by Cartier in the 80s and ever since then it has been exhibited around the world pic.twitter.com/MrrZzz5nHq
— popreset (@popreset_) May 7, 2022
Thanks #cartier. Those are the jewels of the Maharaja of Patiala. That’s a piece of India’s stolen history, not a fancy piece of jewellery to lend out to celebrities. Disrespectful on so many levels. pic.twitter.com/KhK5LPexaj
— shriyazamindar (@shriyazamindar) May 7, 2022
Also Read: From Special Embroidery To America’s Architecture, Our Favourite Hidden Outfit Details From Met Gala 2022
The height of privilege to be able to flaunt stolen goods on the global stage. Jewels stolen from Panjab resurface at the Met Gala in NY.
The fate of the Maharaja of Patiala's Cartier Diamond Choker is unknown, but it was likely sold and reacquired by
Cartier at a later date. pic.twitter.com/qSqRIkVkrT— Tarandeep Singh (@tarandeephora) May 6, 2022
Emma Chamberlain wearing the diamond choker that was stolen from the Maharaja of Patiala is ironically very on point for the gilded glamour theme.
— fuhar (@warnersdorogaya) May 8, 2022
And just like Kim Kardashian’s idea of wearing Marilyn Monroe’s iconic sheer dress to the Met Gala, Emma’s decision of flaunting India’s cultural treasure has received mixed reviews from their fans. While Emma was on point with her ‘Gilded Glamour’ we’re not sure if Indians are happy to see the country’s culture being displayed in a red carpet environment.
