The Tiger of Mysore

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Bonhams reminds us in its press release: Tipu Sahib said that he preferred to live one day as a tiger than a lifetime as a sheep. Nicknamed the Tiger of Mysore, the Sultan was one of the main protagonists in the fight against the British in India, during the wars of colonization.

During a routine valuation, Bonhams found in England a corner ornament of the throne of the Sultan. It is a stylized tiger head 6.9 cm high, showing the teeth in a non friendly attitude. It consists of a sheet of gold plated on a resin and inlaid with gems. It is presented on a marble pedestal mounted on four claw feet in gilded metal.

Experts date it between 1787 and 1793. It was thus not long in place, since the throne was dismantled during the sacking of the capital, Seringapatam, in 1799. Tipu died in battle during this event.

The sale will take place on April 2 in London. The treasures are priceless: Bonhams does not provide an estimate for this one.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Very interesting result for this prestigious but small piece: 330 K £ excluding fees, 390 K £ fees included.