Indian Artifacts in Museums abroad

[Yagya]

This thread is to post pictures of artifacts in museums around the world which have their origins in India.

[Yagya]

Rama Prepares to Rescue Sita, ca. 1770
Artist not identified
Watercolor, gold, and silver on paper


Palanquin, 18th-19th century
Artist not identified
India
Wood, lacquer, metal, textile


Mask of Panjurli, 19th century
Artist not identified
Kanara
Copper alloy


Throne, late 18th century
Artist not identified
Rajasthan
Wood, water-based pigments


Hanuman Revealing Rama and Sita in His Heart, 19th century
Artist not identified
Calcutta
Watercolor on mill-made paper


Khandoba and Mhalsa on an Elephant, 18th century
Artist not identified
Maharashtra, India


Mask of Mallanna, 18th to 19th centuries
Artist not identified
Karnataka, India
Copper alloy


Miniature desk and bookcase, 1780-1790
Artist not identified
Vizagapatam, India,
Sandalwood, Ivory, Black Lacquer


The Goddess Vasurimala, mid 19th century
Artist not identified
India
Paint on wood


Parsvanatha, 1433
Saurashtra, Gujarat
India
Copper alloy, bronze


Palanquin, 18th century
lac-tinted ivory, wood
18 x 59 x 34 in. (45.7 x 149.9 x 86.4 cm)

[Yagya]

Indian tea set

This tea set stamped with the mark OM is the work of the renowned Oomersi Mawji, Court Silversmith to the ruler of Kutch, now in Gujarat state, western India. Kutch, and particularly its capital Bhuj where Oomersi Mawji worked, was a major centre for the production of silverwares, and supplied a huge market.

Tipu's Tiger

Tipu's Tiger' is an awesome, life-size beast of carved and painted wood, seen in the act of devouring a prostrate European in the costume of the 1790s. It has cast a spell over generations of admirers since 1808, when it was first displayed in the East India Company's museum. On the dissolution of the Company fifty years later, its properties were transferred to the Crown, and the contents of the museum eventually dispersed to appropriate institutions. The tiger was among items allotted to the Indian Section of the South Kensington Museum, now called the V&A.

Wine cup of Shah Jahan, unknown maker, 1657




Maharaja Ranjit Singh's throne

The goldsmith Hafez Muhammad Multani made this throne for Maharaja Ranjit Singh, probably in 1820-1830. It shows clearly the splendour of Ranjit Singh's court. In Europe, royal furniture is usually simply gilded, which creates the effect of gold without incurring the cost. However, in India the reverse is true, and thrones are decorated with richly worked sheets of gold.
The distinctive cusped base of this throne is composed of two tiers of lotus petals. The lotus is a symbol of purity and creation and has traditionally been used as a seat or throne for Hindu gods. However, the octagonal (eight-sided) shape of the throne is based on courtly furniture of the Mughals. Their many-sided furniture provided models for thrones, footstools and tables throughout northern India.

Throne chair lucknow

This chair is a rare surviving example of palace furniture from Lucknow in northern India. It was a gift from Ghazi-ud-din Haidar, Nawab and King of Oudh (ruled 1814 to 1827), to Lord Amherst, Governor-General of India. He probably gave it to him during Amherst's visit to Lucknow in 1827. The Scottish artist Robert Home almost certainly designed this chair. He was court painter at Lucknow, where he devised regalia as well as royal carriages, howdahs, barges and palace furnishings. These followed European fashions but, like this chair, they often carried the twin-fish badge of the rulers of Lucknow.

Mace (chob)

Paintings in miniature and chronicles of the Mughal court reveal that ceremonial maces were often richly ornamented and made of luxurious materials, this piece being a rare surviving example. The mother-of-pearl decoration on its surface relates closely to a tomb canopy erected (before 1610) over the mausoleum of Shaykh Salim Chisti at Fatehpur Sikri. In style and technique the application of mother-of-pearl plaques over a wooden carcase is typical of a vast group of objects made in workshops in western India's Gujarat region. These objects were for local consumption as well as for export to Ottoman Turkey, the Middle East and Europe. This piece was either made in Gujarat or executed by Gujarati craftsmen working at the Mughal court.

Turban ornament 1775

These jewels for the male turban, made together and intended to be worn together, were presented to Admiral Charles Watson (1714-1757) by the Nawab of Bengal on 26 July 1757, following the battle of Plassey. They were inherited by the Townley family, relatives of the Admiral, following his death in India shortly after the battle, and remained in their possession until sold at auction in London in 1982, when they were bought by the V&A. They are a rare example of securely datable 18th century Indian jewels.
When the British East India Company felt their trading interests in India to be threatened by Siraj ad-Daula, the Nawab of Bengal, they decided to depose him in favour of a ruler who would be more amenable to their interests. This led to the campaign that culminated in the famous Battle of Plassey, during which Robert Clive (1725-1774) led the land forces and Admiral Watson commanded the fleet. The British victory allowed them to install as Nawab Mir Ja'far, who then presented lavish gifts to Clive and to Watson, including these jewels. The style of the pieces, which have backs enamelled in translucent green and red over a white ground, and jewelled fronts, is within the Mughal tradition found all over the northern provinces of the subcontinent. The specific form, however, is typical of Bengal and, particularly, of its capital Murshidabad. The style is seen in contemporary paintings of Murshidabad, and it is probable that the jewels were taken from the treasury rather than being made especially for presentation by Mir Ja'far.

Earrings 1850

This pair of gold ear ornaments was acquired by the Indian Museum in London, probably about 1850, and was said to have been made in Calcutta. The pair was transferred to the South Kensington Museum, later renamed the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1870, with the bulk of the collection.
The ear ornaments are made of small "cut work" studs set onto plain or twisted wires, to which small flat discs have been applied. The style is thought to have been copied from Indian jewellers who saw English cut steel jewellery in black and white engraved illustrations to English jewellers' catalogues. Gold is traditionally the material of choice for jewellery in India, for those who can afford it.

Marriage necklace (kazhutthuru)

This superb ceremonial necklace incorporates a gold pendant or 'tali' symbolising marriage, and was probably made for a bride from the Nattukottai Chettiar community in South India. It would not have been used for everyday wear. It has an imposing pendant adorned with images of the Hindu god Shiva and his consort Parvati, seated on Nandi, the sacred bull, before a temple. The small figures are very skilfully worked in gold repoussé, an important technique in South Indian jewellery. The repoussé work is pierced in places to show the gleam of red foil backing. Above these figures is a contrasting flat panel of delicate tracery showing a deer between two birds of paradise.

Thumb ring 1600-50

[flyinfishjoe]

Excellent thread! I hope to see Tipu's Tiger in person one day.

[p2p4]

Applause to you, Yagya, for starting this thread !!! Very, very apt !

Originally Posted by Yagya

This thread is to post pictures of artifacts in museums around the world which have their origins in India.

[sanjupalayat]

Love this thread, need to see Kohinoor on bloody queens crown. The biggest thief of the world.

[Yagya]

Casket, c.1600

c.1600

Mother-of-pearl, teak, silver-gilt, rock crystal feet, velvet

19.2 x 28.6 x 18.1 cm


Punch dagger (katar), (?)early eighteenth century

(?)early 18th cent.

Indian

Presented to Edward VII when Prince of Wales by the Maharaja of Rutlam



Shamshir (sabre), scabbard, bi-knife and sword belt

c.1794-1800

Indian; Iranian

Acquired by George IV


Shield, early nineteenth century

early 19th cent.

Indian (?Lucknow)

Presented to Edward VII when Prince of Wales by the Maharaja of Kashmir


The Crown of the Emperor Bahadur Shah II

Second quarter of nineteenth century

Indian (Delhi)

Purchased by Queen Victoria


Bird of paradise (huma) from Tipu Sultan’s throne

c.1787-91

Indian (Mysore), and Paul Storr (stand)

Presented to George III


Armour and helmet

c.1790

Indian

Acquired by George IV


The Koh-i-nûr armlet

c.1830

Indian (? Jaipur)

Presented to Queen Victoria


The emerald belt of Maharaja Sher Singh, c.1840

c.1840

Indian (Lahore)

Presented to Queen Victoria by the East India Company


Throne and footstool

c. 1850

South India (Travancore)

Presented to Queen Victoria


Regal Crown, c.1875

c.1875

Indian (?Lucknow)

Presented to Edward VII when Prince of Wales by the Taluqdars of Oudh


Dagger (peshkabz) and scabbard, 1877

1877

Indian

Presented to Edward VII when Prince of Wales by the Maharaja of Bharatpore


Pair of bracelets (kadas), nineteenth century

19th cent.

Indian (?Jaipur)

Presented to Queen Victoria


Sword and scabbard, c.1902

c.1902

Indian (Jaipur)

Presented to Edward VII by the Maharaja of Jaipur


The 'Timur Ruby' necklace

1853

Spinels, diamonds, gold, enamel

50 cm long

The spinels from the Lahore Treasury, 1849; presented to Queen Victoria by the Directors of the East India Company, 1851; the necklace made for Queen Victoria, 1853

[Yagya]

Ring and sword of Tipu Sultan

This ring and sword are trophies of the Battle of Seringapatam. The sword bears an inscription indicating that it comes from Tipu Sultan's armoury, whereas the ring came with a label that states that it was taken from the finger of Tipu Sultan at the battle by Arthur Henry Cole, Earl of Enniskillen.

Jade thumb-ring

Mughal dynasty, 17th century AD
From India

Inlaid with rubies and emeralds

This is an archer's thumb-ring, designed to protect the thumb from friction with the bow-string. It is shaped into a point at one side, and is worn with the pointed side towards the thumb-nail. This luxury example is made of pale green jade, and has been inlaid with rubies, emeralds and gold in a simple floral pattern. The Mughals were renowned for their interest in precious stones, which they wore in pendants, rings, necklaces and turban-clasps. In particular, Shāh Jahan (reigned 1628-57) is famous as a connoisseur of gems.

Gold pendant inlaid with jewels

Mughal dynasty, 17th century AD
From India

A jewelled flying bird

This gold pendant is inlaid with flat-cut rubies and emeralds and a large faceted diamond, in the pattern of a flying bird, against a leafy background of rubies. The bird's breast is represented by the diamond, the rest of its body is ruby-red, while the wing-tips and tail-feathers are emerald-green. The reverse of the pendant also depicts a bird, perched among leaves and flowers, executed in flat champlevé enamel. Mughal jewelled pendants are usually decorated with enamel on the back, even though this side was not intended for display. The sides of this pendant are also decorated in champlevé enamel, and depict golden birds in flowering trees, against a blue enamel background.

Bronze figure of the Buddha Shakyamuni

From eastern India
7th century AD

This beautiful little bronze statue of the Buddha Shakyamuni was created at a Buddhist monastery workshop in eastern India, probably in the state of Bihar. It was made in the first half of the seventh century shortly after the end of the Gupta dynasty (fourth to sixth century AD) in what may be called a 'post-Gupta' style. It retains many of the features typical of the Gupta period: the figure is soft, gentle and simple, with heavy lidded, downcast eyes and 'snail shell' curls. It has an emotional serenity generally lacking in such figures of the preceding Kushan period.

[Marathaman]

Nice thread Yagu

[Yagya]

Thankee my boy thankee.

[Marathaman]

I hope you don't mind me adding some things.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/edgehill/5507878772
Buddha statue from approx. 1000 BCE at Asian Art Museum, San Francisco
(Origin is Bihar)

[Yagya]

Yeah go ahead.

[Yagya]

The Koh i noor. This is the crown isn't worn by anyone at the moment. It use to be the crown of Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother who died in 2002. The Koh i noor is the one in the lower cross not the top one.

[Marathaman]

Few more from the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco

Vajra Tara (10th-12th cent. AD (Origin: Bihar)


http://www.flickr.com/photos/edgehil...57626464352904

Shiva in Ascetic form (1300-1500 AD)(Origin: Tamil Nadu)


http://www.flickr.com/photos/edgehil...57626464352904

[Yagya]

18th century
Geography
India, Deccan, Bidar
image hosted on flickr

NYC - Metropolitan Museum of Art by christiNYCa, on Flickr

Camel
Date
probably 18th–19th century
Geography
India, probably Jaipur
image hosted on flickr

NYC - Metropolitan Museum of Art by christiNYCa, on Flickr

Mahadevi, the Great Goddess
India (Rajasthan, Bikaner)
ca. 1725

[bhargavsura]

Awesome thread this is. Good job Yagya.

[Yagya]

Thanks Bhargav.

[kannan infratech]

Yagu,

If you can spare time, just dig on the Scientific contraptions, developed & used by Tippu in Mysore & Ravan in Srilanka.

Superb Engineering long time ago.

If possible, I will google & post.

[Yagya]

Ravan as in the one in Ramayan?

[Indian Sun]

Yeah, did you think Ravan as in Abhishek Bachchan ?