Dangling a Carat

It’s hard to picture: A ruby as big as a hen’s egg and weighing in at 175 carats. As if girth weren’t enough, the designer also decorated the cabochon with gold and diamonds and inscribed a sacred passage from the Koran.

This size-does-matter jewel, called the Prince’s Ruby, is one of 82 treasures, some inlaid with rubies, emeralds and diamonds from India and Afghanistan on display at the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art in Santa Ana through Aug. 2.

Some gemologists believe the ruby was once owned by Shah Jahan, the builder of the Taj Mahal. But it’s the stuff of legends, not easy to prove without more documentation.

Peter Keller, president of the Bowers, says, “For many, gemstones were portable wealth, easily cashed in when needed and just as easily hidden away and saved. While many people enjoyed showing off their gems as a sign of their riches, just as many preferred to keep their holdings a secret.”

The aristocratic adornments, commissioned by royalty from the 3rd century B.C. to the early 20th century, are exhibited along with “Realms of Heroism: Indian Paintings From the Brooklyn Museum.” The program includes lectures and films.

Arts of India lecture series at the Bowers:

* The Colors of Life: India as Seen Through Its Paintings. May 31. Art history professor Robert L. Brown, of UCLA.

* Let There Be Love: Sex, Spirituality and Indian Art. June 7. Pratapaditya Pal of the Norton Simon Museum.

* Indian Classical Dance. July 26. Dance historian Sunil Kothari and dancer Ramaa Bharadvaj.

* Space and Perspective in Indian Painting. Aug. 2. Indian painting scholar Ellen Smart.

India film series:

* “Pather Panchali” (Song of the Little Road). May 28. First of “The Apu Trilogy” about a Bengali boy’s life, directed by Satyajit Ray.

* “Aparajito” (The Unvanquished). June 25.

* “The World of Apu,” with a post-screening discussion led by film specialist Krishna Shah. July 16.

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Lectures begin at 2 p.m. Members $5. Nonmembers, $7.50. No reservations.

Screenings start at 7 p.m and are free with museum admission.

The Bowers is at 1802 N. Main Street, Santa Ana. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday; Thursday until 9 p.m. Admission is $2-$6. For more information, call (714) 567-3600 or visit the Web site at https://www.bowers.org.