Crown

Taj Mahal is one of the most important architectural heritages of Turkish and Indian Islamic culture. Its romantic architecture style and story continue to fascinate us today. Taj Mahal is known as the most beautiful monument of love situated in Agra, It was commissioned by Shah Jahan to be built for the tomb of his wife before her death. Unlike the Indian architecture style, it is made of ivory-white marble shining elegantly even in the darkest nights.

The story behind the magical monument is the immortal love of Shah Jahan for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Mumtaz Mahal would never leave her husband alone even at the expeditions. She died while giving birth to her child when Shah Jahan was fighting at one of his expedition. The reason why Shah Jahan hold on to life is to fulfill his wifes last wish before her death by completing the construction of Taj Mahal, which will become the monument of their love.

Walls of Taj Mahal which was built in 21 years presents very beautiful samples of the art of Pietra Dura known as creating a motive by cutting hard polished stones. These motifs were made using various gemstones such as emerald, ruby, diamond, topaz, mother-of-pearl, carnelian, turquoise and coral. This special monument commissioned by Shah Jahan to render his love for his wife immortal became an inspiration for Melie’s “Crown” collection. Melie’s pieces in the collection are inspired from the motifs and gemstones on the walls of Taj Mahal.

Rabindranath Tagore, a renowned Indian poet, describes Taj Mahal as a a teardrop on the cheek of time. Embellished with white and black diamonds, black onyx and mother of pearl, the Black Teardrop earrings symbolize Shah Jahan’s wish to build a black monument across Taj Mahal as a symbol of their love completing each other as night and day, and wish to reunite with his lover, before his death. The collection tells the story of a legendary love by emphasizing the eternity of time and immortality of love.