London: a gold tiger head, which once belonged to the Mysore ruler’s throne Tipu Sultan In the 18th century, India was placed under a temporary export bar on Fridays in an attempt to find a United Kingdom buyer for it.
The last, or a crown jewel, is worth approximately 1.5 million GBP and the export bar kept by the British government is used to allow time for a UK gallery or institution to acquire a piece of historical value.
The finial is one of the eight gold tigers that adorn the throne of the ruler, known as the “Tiger of Mysore”.
“It reflects the story of the fascinating final Tipu The Sultan’s reign and inspires us to examine our royal history,” said Lord Stephen Parkinson, Britain’s Minister of the Arts.
“I hope a buyer from the UK will come forward so that we can all learn more about this important period in our shared history with India,” he said.
Made of gold and set with rubies, diamonds and emeralds, the finial is described as a rare example of a fully documented 18th-century South Indian goldsmith’s work and its existence was unknown until 2009.
Its marble pedestal is unique among the five surviving finials known, and the meaning of its gold inscription is still a mystery.
The decision on the export license application for the final has been deferred to February 11, 2022, which may be extended to June 11, 2022 if there is a serious intention to raise funds to buy it at the recommended price of GBP 1.5 million.
The Minister’s decision follows the advice of the Review Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (RCEWA), which agreed that it was an important symbolic object in Anglo-Indian history in the last years of the 18th century. Is.
“Tipu Sultan’s gold and jeweled throne (c.1787-93) was torn down by award agents of the British army after Tipu’s defeat and death in defense of his capital, Seringapatam, in 1799. The head of this tiger is one of the original eight, which were placed on the pedestal of the octagonal throne,” said RCEWA member Christopher Rowell.
“The head of this tiger, one of the four thrones in order to survive, must remain with other pieces of the throne in the country, including a head in the Clive Museum at Powis Castle (NT), and I hope that every effort will be made to To achieve this,” he said.
Rowell explained that each gold tiger head from the railing is set slightly differently than the gems, which makes this example part of a set and unique in its design.
Its quality attests to the expertise of Tipu Sultan’s goldsmiths and jewelers, in whose productions he took a keen personal interest.
The large gold rock crystal tiger’s head that supported the throne, and a bejeweled Huma bird perched on the crest of its canopy, were presented to George III and Queen Charlotte of Britain.
Rowell said, “The tiger and its stripes were a personal symbol of Tipu Sultan. ‘Better to live one day as a tiger than 1,000 years as a sheep’. His flirtation with Napoleonic France resulted in his in British hands.” collapsed.”
Tipu Sultan was considered the greatest threat to the British East India Company until his defeat and death in 1799.
As the ruler of Mysore, Tipu identified himself and his personal possessions with images of tigers and experts believe that this was the last scholarly figure to depict the vibrant culture of Tipu Sultan’s court and the British Empire. Provides an opportunity to examine history closely.
The three surviving contemporary images of the throne are all in the UK.
Tipu’s necklace had great historical significance for Britain’s royal past, creating a contemporary fascination with Tipu’s story and objects.
After his defeat, many items from Tipu’s treasury reached Britain, where he influenced poetry (John Keats), fiction (Charles Dickens; Wilkie Collins), artist (JMW Turner) and attracted much public interest.
RCEWA made its recommendation to ministers on the grounds that Finial’s departure from the UK would be a “misfortune” as it is so closely linked to UK history and national life and of outstanding importance for the study of royal propaganda and 18- century Anglo-Indian history.
The last, or a crown jewel, is worth approximately 1.5 million GBP and the export bar kept by the British government is used to allow time for a UK gallery or institution to acquire a piece of historical value.
The finial is one of the eight gold tigers that adorn the throne of the ruler, known as the “Tiger of Mysore”.
“It reflects the story of the fascinating final Tipu The Sultan’s reign and inspires us to examine our royal history,” said Lord Stephen Parkinson, Britain’s Minister of the Arts.
“I hope a buyer from the UK will come forward so that we can all learn more about this important period in our shared history with India,” he said.
Made of gold and set with rubies, diamonds and emeralds, the finial is described as a rare example of a fully documented 18th-century South Indian goldsmith’s work and its existence was unknown until 2009.
Its marble pedestal is unique among the five surviving finials known, and the meaning of its gold inscription is still a mystery.
The decision on the export license application for the final has been deferred to February 11, 2022, which may be extended to June 11, 2022 if there is a serious intention to raise funds to buy it at the recommended price of GBP 1.5 million.
The Minister’s decision follows the advice of the Review Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (RCEWA), which agreed that it was an important symbolic object in Anglo-Indian history in the last years of the 18th century. Is.
“Tipu Sultan’s gold and jeweled throne (c.1787-93) was torn down by award agents of the British army after Tipu’s defeat and death in defense of his capital, Seringapatam, in 1799. The head of this tiger is one of the original eight, which were placed on the pedestal of the octagonal throne,” said RCEWA member Christopher Rowell.
“The head of this tiger, one of the four thrones in order to survive, must remain with other pieces of the throne in the country, including a head in the Clive Museum at Powis Castle (NT), and I hope that every effort will be made to To achieve this,” he said.
Rowell explained that each gold tiger head from the railing is set slightly differently than the gems, which makes this example part of a set and unique in its design.
Its quality attests to the expertise of Tipu Sultan’s goldsmiths and jewelers, in whose productions he took a keen personal interest.
The large gold rock crystal tiger’s head that supported the throne, and a bejeweled Huma bird perched on the crest of its canopy, were presented to George III and Queen Charlotte of Britain.
Rowell said, “The tiger and its stripes were a personal symbol of Tipu Sultan. ‘Better to live one day as a tiger than 1,000 years as a sheep’. His flirtation with Napoleonic France resulted in his in British hands.” collapsed.”
Tipu Sultan was considered the greatest threat to the British East India Company until his defeat and death in 1799.
As the ruler of Mysore, Tipu identified himself and his personal possessions with images of tigers and experts believe that this was the last scholarly figure to depict the vibrant culture of Tipu Sultan’s court and the British Empire. Provides an opportunity to examine history closely.
The three surviving contemporary images of the throne are all in the UK.
Tipu’s necklace had great historical significance for Britain’s royal past, creating a contemporary fascination with Tipu’s story and objects.
After his defeat, many items from Tipu’s treasury reached Britain, where he influenced poetry (John Keats), fiction (Charles Dickens; Wilkie Collins), artist (JMW Turner) and attracted much public interest.
RCEWA made its recommendation to ministers on the grounds that Finial’s departure from the UK would be a “misfortune” as it is so closely linked to UK history and national life and of outstanding importance for the study of royal propaganda and 18- century Anglo-Indian history.
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