Tipu Sultan's throne finial sold for 3,89,600 pounds By Prasun Sonwalkar

London, Apr 3 (PTI) A gem-encrusted gold finial from
the octagonal golden throne of Tipu Sultan, the Tiger of
Mysore, has been auctioned for 3,89,600 pounds, auctioneers
Bonhams has said.

A spokeswoman for Bonhams told PTI that the eighteenth
century item was bought by an unidentified private collector
Thursday. There were only two bidders for what was billed as
one of the most important Tipu items ever to appear for sale.

The finial lay in an English castle for at least 100
years and then in a bank vault, unknown to Tipu enthusiasts
and scholars. It was discovered by Bonhams’ Islamic Department
on a routine valuation.

The gem-set object is one of three surviving tiger
head finials that adorned Tipu’s elaborate throne. It lay at
the Featherstone Castle, Northumberland, where it was listed
in an 1843 inventory of the late Baron Wallace of Knarsdale
(1768-1844), who oversaw the East India Company, and
afterwards was hidden away in a bank.

Although some of the most important items were
reserved for the British royal family, the famous golden
throne was broken up so that the elements could be shared,
much to the disapproval of the Governor-General, Lord
Wellesley.

The throne was broken up so quickly following the fall
of Seringapatam that little is known about the fate of the
remaining throne relics; however, a large gold tiger head from
the front of the throne platform now resides at Windsor Castle
along with a jewelled bird which was presented to Queen
Charlotte the wife of George III.

Another surviving finial can be found at Powis Castle,
acquired by the second Lady Clive in India.

Claire Penhallurick of Bonhams Indian and Islamic
Department, said: "It is, without a doubt, of the greatest
historical significance as it belongs to the most important
symbolic object in Tipu Sultan’s kingdom, his throne, which he
refused to mount until he had defeated the British". PTI PS
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