Tipu Sultan's sword makes 14 million at Bonhams
The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Tuesday, October 15, 2024


Tipu Sultan's sword makes 14 million at Bonhams
The bedchamber sword of Tipu Sultan. Sold for £14 million. Photo: Bonhams.



LONDON.- Tipu Sultan’s fabled bedchamber sword sold for £14 million at Bonhams Islamic and Indian Art sale in London today (Tuesday 23 May 2023). It had an estimate of £1,500,000-2,000,000. This is a new auction world record for both an Indian and Islamic object.

Nima Sagharchi, Group Head of Islamic and Indian Art, said: “The sword has an extraordinary history, an astonishing provenance and unrivalled craftsmanship. It was no surprise it was so hotly contested between two phone bidders and a bidder in the room. We are delighted with the result.”

Of the many weapons removed from the palace of Tipu Sultan after the fall of his royal stronghold at Seringapatam on 4 May 1799, few have such resonance nor such a close connection to Tipu Sultan, the Tiger of Mysore, than the Bedchamber Sword, found in his private quarters after the battle. Unquestionably part of Tipu’s own arsenal, the sword is arguably the finest and most important of the weapons with a proven personal association with the ruler.

As described by Francis Buchanan in his on-the-spot account describing Tipu’s palace immediately after the siege, a sword lay within reach of the Sultan while he slept. (On constant alert against attack, Tipu slept in a hammock suspended from the ceiling of his locked and bolted bedchamber with a pair of pistols and a sword by his side). The weapon is of exceptional quality. The blade, which is inscribed ‘The Sword of the Ruler’ is particularly fine. It was manufactured by Mughal swordsmiths following the model of German blades introduced to India in the 16th century. The hilt is inlaid in exquisitely executed gold calligraphy with five of the qualities of God and two invocations calling on God by name.

Speaking before the sale, Oliver White, Bonhams Head of Islamic and Indian Art, said: “This spectacular sword is the greatest of all the weapons linked to Tipu Sultan still in private hands. Its close personal association with the Sultan, its impeccable provenance traceable to the very day it was captured, and the outstanding craftsmanship that went into its manufacture make it unique and highly desirable.”

WATCH: William Dalrymple speaks about Tipu Sultan's Bedchamber Sword

The sword was presented to Major General David Baird, by the army ‘as a token of their high esteem of his courage and conduct in the assault which he commanded and in which Tipo Sultan was slain.’ Baird had led the soldiers on May 4 which finally ended the month-long siege of Seringapatam.

Tipu Sultan (1751– 1799) succeeded his father as the ruler of the kingdom of Mysore in south Indian in 1782. He earned the soubriquet ‘Tiger of Mysore’ from the ferocity with which he defended his kingdom’s interests. He pioneered the use of rocket artillery in wars both against neighbouring states and also the East Indian Company of which he was an implacable opponent. His reign was also characterised by the introduction of a new calendar and coinage system and other administrative and financial reforms which built on the work of his father and he transformed Mysore into the most dynamic economy in India.

Bruno Vinciguerra, CEO, Bonhams, said: "This is one of the most astonishing objects Bonhams has had the privilege of bringing to auction. It is a stupendous price for a stupendous piece. I am so thrilled for our teams that worked so hard to deliver this result."










Today's News

May 24, 2023

C. Parker Gallery Presents: Paul Nicklen & Cristina Mittermeier

The National Gallery of Art acquires painting by Mattia Preti

Greta Grossman suite to anchor Hindman biannual Modern Design auction

Exhibition at LaiSun Keane Gallery features works by Charles Yuen

The Raclin Murphy Museum of Art announces winner in the category of Outstanding Catalogues for 2022

Lark Mason Associates announces a 'Gem of a Sale' from the estate of Mary Yturria

Alexander Berggruen presents artist Hulda Guzmán's work in 'They Come from the Water'

David Zwirner to represent Joe Bradley

Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation and Art Vault announce 'Lust Severs' curated by Jennifer West

Thomas J. Price: Beyond Measure now on view at Hauser & Wirth

At Antwerp Art Weekend, collectors buy with their gut

Kenny Schachter announces characters for POP PRINCIPLE: THE ART GAME, a new NFT Project

Ireland Invites will showcase Irish visual art to the international biennale circuit

Shrine owned by Lord Glenconner leads Bonhams India Art sale in London

Tipu Sultan's sword makes 14 million at Bonhams

Gagosian announces the extension of landmark exhibition celebrating Richard Avedon's centenary

Shared Space: The New Era (1987-2010): Photographs from the Bank of America Collection

International artist Bruce Munro to debut "Field of Light" public artwork on Manhattan's East Side

Fiona Crisp's 'Weighting Time' showing across two venues

The Academy of Natural Sciences now showing Illuminating Birds: Drawing as a Way of Knowing

Water Cities Rotterdam by Kunlé Adeyemi open at Nieuwe Instituut

Audiences are coming back to orchestras after 'scary' sales last fall

'Time Shelter' wins International Booker Prize

Making Light: The Art of Comedy

Proposal Templates: Simplify and Streamline Your Business Proposals

TikTok: Transforming the Finance Sector One Video at a Time

Appealing to The Masses Is Also Important: Exploring Subjectivity In Art



What to know before going to Morocco

What to do in Morocco for 1 week

From Piggy Banks to Savings Account: Teaching Preschoolers the Value of Money

The Gift of Presence: How to Be a More Mindful and Engaged Parent




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 



Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)
Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal
Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez
Writer: Ofelia Zurbia Betancourt

Attorneys
Truck Accident Attorneys
Accident Attorneys
Holistic Dentist
Abogado de accidentes

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org juncodelavega.com facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
to a Mexican poet.
Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site Parroquia Natividad del Señor
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful