Art
Sikh Raj Miniatures, Documents, To Be Auctioned
NEWS REPORT
What is claimed to be the last portrait painted during his lifetime by the official court artist of the great Emperor of Punjab, Maharajah Ranjit Singh, goes under the hammer later this month.
The superb miniature portrait was painted on ivory set in white gold brooch, also inscribed on gold - ‘Runjeet Singh'. It shows the ageing Maharajah looking serious in his full regalia. His left eye is closed - the result of smallpox in his childhood.
‘This is a remarkable find,' said Richard Westwood-Brookes, Historical Documents Expert for the auctioneers, Mullock's, who will sell the portrait on April 19, 2011.
‘The Maharajah, known as ‘The Lion of the Punjab', is a revered and important figure in Indian history - particularly the history of the Punjab. He was crowned in 1801 and remained in power at the head of the Sikh Empire until his death in 1839.
‘His reign marked the highest point of the Sikh Empire which degenerated after his death. In the 1840s the British fought against the Sikhs in the two Sikh Wars resulting in the annexation of the Punjab by Britain.' The portrait is expected to make up to £3,000 when it goes under the hammer.
The sale also features a miniature on ivory of the boy Maharajah Duleep Singh, probably drawn from life and showing him around the age of 13, and there are two documents which are of considerable importance in the life of Duleep Singh.
The first is a memorandum prepared for Queen Victoria which paved the way for Duleep Singh to become a Christian, and a second memorandum, also prepared for Queen Victoria suggests the financial settlement which the British offered to Duleep Singh when he became 21.
The sale also features a large number of important documents relating to India, the Punjab and the Sikh Wars.
Also included is a Royal Sikh Order captured at the Battle of Goojerat - the last battle in the Sikh Wars. This is expected to make up to £1,000.
Also featured in the sale are rare letters of General Jean-Francois Allard, the French soldier who was one of Maharajah Ranjit Singh's most loyal Lieutenants; a fine letter concerning the birthday celebrations for Maharajah Duleep Singh, and an important letter of Maharajah Bhupinder Singh.
The sale takes place at the Clive Pavilion, Ludlow Racecourse at 12 noon (British Summer Time) on April 19, 2011, with viewing on the morning of the sale.
[Courtesy: Asian Image]
April 15, 2011
Conversation about this article
1: Sandeep Singh Brar (Canada), April 15, 2011, 1:35 PM.
I'd take that claim of it being one of the last portraits of Ranjit Singh with a large dose of skepticism. Ivory miniatures were all the rage in the 1850's to 1870's for tourists visiting Punjab. It was the equivalent of buying a postcard for the well-to-do British visitor. Popular themes included portraits of members of the Sikh Royal Court of Lahore as well as the Darbar Sahib. All of these were painted by native craftsmen well after the downfall of the Sikh Empire and the death of all those portrayed.
2: Charanjit (U.S.A.), April 16, 2011, 1:08 AM.
If you read the official catalogue description of the piece on the auction house website, it clearly states there is a letter of provenance accompanying the portrait miniature. The letter is dated 1839, and also states that it was painted by a court artist.
3: Gagandeep (U.S.A.), April 16, 2011, 1:28 AM.
To Sandeep Singh Brar - The piece clearly comes with solid provenance - here is the catalogue note from the auction house. "LOT 270 - India - Maharajah Ranjit Singh Superb Miniature Portrait ... set in white gold brooch also inscribed on gold "Runjeet Singh". An important portrait of Maharajah Ranjit Singh by his court artist with a letter of provenance d. 1839 stating that the portrait was by the court artist and dated 1839 this potentially could be the last ever portrait of him whilst he was alive as he died 20th June 1839 in the same year."
4: Inderjit Singh (Brampton, Ontario, Canada), April 18, 2011, 2:23 PM.
Nice stuff! Should be returned to the Sikhs and placed in a museum.