皇冠体育app

• 皇冠体育app export bar is to allow time for a UK gallery or institution to acquire the piece
• 皇冠体育app finial is one of eight gold tiger heads that adorned the throne of Tipu Sultan, known as the 鈥淭iger of Mysore鈥�

Valued at 拢1.5 million, a gold jewelled tiger head, which once adorned the gold-covered throne of Tipu Sultan in the 18th century, is at risk of leaving the country unless a UK buyer can be found.

Tipu Sultan, the 鈥楾iger of Mysore鈥�, was regarded as the greatest threat to the British East India Company until his defeat and death in 1799. As ruler of Mysore, Tipu identified himself and his personal possessions with tiger imagery and this finial offers scholars the opportunity to illustrate the vibrant culture of Tipu鈥檚 court and closely examine British imperial history. Three surviving contemporary images of the throne are all in the UK.

皇冠体育app finial, made of gold and set with rubies, diamonds and emeralds, is a rare example of fully documented 18th century South Indian goldsmiths鈥� 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.

Following his defeat, many objects from Tipu鈥檚 treasury arrived in Britain, where they influenced poetry (John Keats), fiction (Charles Dickens; Wilkie Collins), artists (J.M.W.Turner) and were received with huge public interest.

Arts Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said:

This fascinating finial illustrates the story of Tipu Sultan鈥檚 reign and leads us to examine our imperial history.

I hope a UK-based buyer comes forward so that we can all continue to learn more about this important period in our shared history with India.

皇冠体育app Minister鈥檚 decision follows the advice of the (RCEWA). 皇冠体育app Committee agreed that it is an important symbolic object in Anglo-Indian history in the last years of the 18th Century, with Tipu鈥檚 defeat having great historical importance to Britain鈥檚 imperial past and leading to a contemporary fascination with Tipu鈥檚 story and objects.

Committee Member Christopher Rowell said:

Tipu Sultan鈥檚 golden and bejewelled throne (c.1787-93) was broken up by the British army鈥檚 Prize Agents after Tipu鈥檚 defeat and death in defence of his capital, Seringapatam, in 1799. This tiger鈥檚 head is one of the original eight which were placed on the balustrade of the octagonal throne. Each gold tiger鈥檚 head from the railing is slightly differently set with gemstones, which makes this example both part of a set and unique in its design. Its quality attests to the expertise of Tipu鈥檚 goldsmiths and jewellers, in whose productions he took a close personal interest. 皇冠体育app head of the large gold rock crystal tiger which supported the throne, and a bejewelled huma bird which perched on the pinnacle of its canopy, were presented to George III and Queen Charlotte (Royal Collection Trust). 皇冠体育app tiger and its stripes were Tipu鈥檚 personal symbols. 鈥楤etter to live one day as a tiger than 1,000 years as a sheep鈥� he famously declared. His flirtation with Napoleonic France led to his downfall at British hands. This tiger鈥檚 head, one of four throne finials to survive, including a head in the Clive Museum at Powis Castle (NT), should remain in the country together with the other fragments of the throne, and I hope that every effort will be made to achieve this.

皇冠体育app Committee made its recommendation on the grounds that the finial鈥檚 departure from the UK would be a misfortune because it is so closely connected with our history and national life and is of outstanding significance for the study of royal propaganda and 18th-century Anglo-Indian history.

皇冠体育app decision on the export licence application for the finial will be deferred until 11 February 2022. This may be extended until 11 June 2022 if a serious intention to raise funds to purchase it is made at the recommended price of 拢1.5 million.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. Organisations or individuals interested in purchasing the finial should contact the Committee鈥檚 Secretariat on 0845 300 6200.
2. Details of the finial are as follows: Title: Tiger鈥檚 head finial from the throne of Tipu Sultan of Mysore (1750-1799). Place and date: Mysore, 1787-93 (construction of the throne; Kirmani 1864). 皇冠体育app plinth possibly made in Madras or Calcutta, c. 1799-1800. Material: gold over a lac core, set with rubies, diamonds and emeralds. 皇冠体育app head mounted on a black marble pedestal with gilt metal inscription and mounts, with four gilt metal feet and four gilded balls. Size: 6.9cm (height of head); 17.5cm (total height with pedestal). Condition: good.
3. Provenance: Tipu Sultan of Mysore (1787-1799); Thomas Wallace, Baron Wallace of Knarsdale (c.1800 or later) 鈥� listed in an 1843 inventory of the contents of Featherstone Castle (Northumberland), the family seat, and thence by descent; Bonhams, London, 2 April 2009 (lot 212); private collection. Literature: Bonhams, London: 2 April 2009, lot 212; Jaffer, A. (ed.), Beyond Extravagance (NY: 2013), pp.189-90, cat.61; Haidar, N.N. (ed.), Treasures from India (NY, 2014), pp.46-7; Export of Objects of Cultural Interest 2010/11 (2011): Case 1, p. 23.
4. 皇冠体育app Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest is an independent body, serviced by the Arts Council, which advises the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on whether a cultural object, intended for export, is of national importance under specified criteria.
5. 皇冠体育app Arts Council champions, develops and invests in artistic and cultural experiences that enrich people鈥檚 lives. It supports a range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries 鈥� from theatre to digital art, reading to dance, music to literature, and crafts to collections.