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THE OFFICIAL SEAL OF CHARLES METCALFE, BRITISH RESIDENT IN DELHI, AND SUBSEQUENTLY GOVERNOR GENERAL OF INDIA

AN ENGRAVED SILVER SEAL

NORTH INDIA, DATED 1818 AD

Details

AN ENGRAVED SILVER SEAL
NORTH INDIA, DATED 1818 AD
The large silver seal of flaring trumpet form with reeded knop and hinged pierced arabesque loop, carnelian inset drop-shape to one side indicating orientation of the face, the face deeply engraved with an elegant nasta'liq inscription on a ground of very finely worked scrolling floral designs, dated 1818 to one side, in a border of fine scrolling designs, excellent condition
2 15/16in. (6.8cm.) diam.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

Lot Essay

Text: muntazim al-dawla mukhtar al-mulk ikhlas yar khan charles theophilus metcalfe bahador sulat jang 1818 (The Regulator of the State, the one invested with full power in the kingdom, the one who is a sincere friend Charles Theophilus Metcalfe, Ferocious at war, 1818)

In a long and distinguished political career mainly in India but also abroad, Charles Theolophilus Metcalfe, Baron (1785-1846), Director of the East India Company, served as Resident in Gwalior (1810), Resident in Dehli (1811-19), Secretary in the Secret and Political Department and Private Secretary to Governor General, Lord Hastings (1819), Resident in Hyderabad (1820), Governor of Agra (1834), provisional Governor General of India (1835), Governor of Jamaica (1839-42), and Governor-General of Canada(1843-5). Buckland, Dictionary of Indian Biography, New York, 1968.

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