Art

Sikh Historical Artefacts Back on Auction Block

MULLOCK`S

Relics and documents from the erstwhile Sikh kingdom, including the personal prayer book of Maharaja Duleep Singh, will be auctioned in Britain on November 17, 2011 by the British auction house, Mullock`s.

The artefacts being auctioned this time around include items which were not picked up or did not meet the minimum bid levels at the last auction which was held by Mullock`s on August 18 this year.

The personal prayer book (Christian) of Duleep Singh titled, "Sacred Hymns From the German", translated by Frances Elizabeth Cox with an ownership inscription of the Maharaja, signed 'Duleep Singh' is expected to fetch 6,000-8,000 pounds.

Duleep Singh, a Sikh Maharaja while still a child of tender years, had been separated by the British from his mother, family and courtiers, and while being held captive in exile was deviously pressured to convert to Christianity - which he renounced later in life, upon discovering the circumstances behind his conversion.

The British had annexed Punjab under controversial circumstances, plundering the famed Koh-i-noor diamond along with other items of Duleep Singh's treasury.

The prayer book is a poignant reminder of how intensely the East India Company had worked to brainwash the young Maharaja to give up his religion, roots and homeland.

Important documents from the collection of Sir John Login, Duleep Singh's English tutor, guardian and the main instrument of British deviousness unleashed on the child, will also go under the hammer.

These provide a fascinating insight into the early life of the deposed Sikh Emperor.

A "portrait in the European manner of Duleep Singh as a boy" is estimated at 1,500-2,000 pounds.

Other priceless relics include an early company school painting of Maharajah Sher Singh (from the collection of Arthur Onslow) expected to fetch 1,500-2,000 pounds, a gold Mohur from the Sikh empire, an antique model of the famous Bhangi Misl Cannon, a book on the Sikh court by Alexis Soltykoff and a fine British painting of an Akali Nihung.

A statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, a letter in French by Jean Francois Allard who was the general of the Sikh army and a number of 19th century photographs and illustrations - including a rare glass slide of Kartarpur Gurdwara, the earliest known view of the site commemorating where Guru Nanak breathed his last are also included.

"We are honoured to auction these highly significant pieces, a large number concerning the Sikhs which were brought back by the British after the annexation of Punjab in 1849," Mullocks specialist Richard Westwood Brookes said.

"The British have the utmost respect for the Sikhs - one of the (bravest) races they had ever encountered - and these relics are a testimony to this," he added.

For details on the items being auctioned this time around from the previous catalogue, please CLICK here.

Edited  for sikhchic.com

November 12, 2011

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