The Maharajah Duleep Singh (1837-1893) was a colourful character of the British Empire during the reign of Queen Victoria. With the annexation of the Punjab in 1849 he made over his dominions to the East India Company and received an annuity. At the same time the Koh-i-noor diamond was ceded to Queen Victoria. From 1854 he lived in England and was a favourite of Queen Victoria particularly as a young boy when he just came to England. Finally he took up residence at Elveden and lived the life of an English country gentleman and Suffolk squire. The hall of Elveden was rebuilt in the Indian style with marble.
He was fond of blood sports. This type of chair known as a Derby or Steamer chair was popular in the 2nd half of the 19th century as a result of the growth in Victorian travel and outdoor sporting pursuits. With his inscription written on the back of the toprail, it might have been used by him on shooting parties or for a particular event at which he was a guest. A similar type of chair is in the Chair Museum in High Wycombe.
The lot is sold with a folder with copies of related literature. cf. Queen Victoria's Maharajah, publ. Weidenfeld 1980, by Michale Alexander and Sushila Ariand.