Ambaji Venkatesh Shinde
Ambaji Venkatesh Shinde was born in 1917 in Mapusa, a fishing village in Goa, India. Ambaji’s parents to sent him to Mumbai to study at the Sir J.J. School of Art in 1934. Three years later, Shinde received his diploma as a textile artist and designer. When his father passed away he was to head of the family and he got a job as a jewelry designer Narauttam Bhau Jhaveri one of the largest jewelry firms in Mumbai. In 1938, Shinde was charged with creating several pieces for the coronation of Maharaja of Baroda (one of the wealthiest families in India) and did so with great success. Ram Pohli, an experienced designer, took Shinde under his wing, and helped him to complete his jewelry design education. Shinde married in 1940 and a year later he changed jobs moving to Nanubhai Jewelers. Here he spent 20 years. His Royal Highness Prince Aga Khan III even commissioned Shinde to create a white Sari for his third wife, using more than 1,200 diamonds.
Then in 1953 his company bought a large number of Indian diamonds from insolvent maharajas. Shinde used these gems to design a breathtaking collection of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings that were purchased by the maharajas of Gwalior and Harry Winston. With the decline of the maharajas’ fortunes, Shinde found that his work was in less demand. In 1959, Harry Winston offered Shinde the opportunity to design for his house in New York and Shinde accepted the offer leaving his family behind, including his wife, who was in poor health.
While waiting for his U.S. visa to be issued, Shinde worked at Harry Winston’s Geneva Office. Three years later, in 1962, Ambaji Shinde arrived in New York City, where he worked under Nevdon Koumriyan, Harry Winston’s Chief Designer and Engraver. Nevdon did not take to Shinde, and its drastically strained the relationship. He returned to India and kept working as a freelance designer for Harry Winston. In 1966, Nevdon Koumriyan’s health deteriorated and he appointed Ambaji Shinde as his successor. Shinde accepted the role. In 1966, he created a necklace with a 69.42-carat teardrop diamond, later called the Taylor-Burton. Shinde continued with a nearly 40-year career at Harry Winston. Shinde retired in December of 2001 and passed away in 2003.
Then in 1953 his company bought a large number of Indian diamonds from insolvent maharajas. Shinde used these gems to design a breathtaking collection of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings that were purchased by the maharajas of Gwalior and Harry Winston. With the decline of the maharajas’ fortunes, Shinde found that his work was in less demand. In 1959, Harry Winston offered Shinde the opportunity to design for his house in New York and Shinde accepted the offer leaving his family behind, including his wife, who was in poor health.
While waiting for his U.S. visa to be issued, Shinde worked at Harry Winston’s Geneva Office. Three years later, in 1962, Ambaji Shinde arrived in New York City, where he worked under Nevdon Koumriyan, Harry Winston’s Chief Designer and Engraver. Nevdon did not take to Shinde, and its drastically strained the relationship. He returned to India and kept working as a freelance designer for Harry Winston. In 1966, Nevdon Koumriyan’s health deteriorated and he appointed Ambaji Shinde as his successor. Shinde accepted the role. In 1966, he created a necklace with a 69.42-carat teardrop diamond, later called the Taylor-Burton. Shinde continued with a nearly 40-year career at Harry Winston. Shinde retired in December of 2001 and passed away in 2003.
