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Lot Essay
Displaying a Lion and a Unicorn, the coat of arms of Panna imitates the British Royal Shield with the addition of an inscription in devanagari and an eight-petalled flower, repeated in the decoration of the armchairs. The Principality of Panna, now in the modern state of Madhya Pradesh, came under British rule in 1817. The Mahendra of Panna Nripat Singh reigned between 1849 and 1870.
A carved inscription on the reverse of the armchairs reads 'made by Benares Gold & Silver Works 27/14 Chowk, Benares City'. These two armchairs exemplify the very high level of craftsmanship achieved by Benares silversmiths and goldsmiths in the 19th century. Although very European and neo-classical in style, the two armchairs incorporate local Indian motifs such as the eight-petalled flower and of course the tiger. They are a rare and particularly fine example of the refinement achieved in local courts during the Raj in the 19th century.
A carved inscription on the reverse of the armchairs reads 'made by Benares Gold & Silver Works 27/14 Chowk, Benares City'. These two armchairs exemplify the very high level of craftsmanship achieved by Benares silversmiths and goldsmiths in the 19th century. Although very European and neo-classical in style, the two armchairs incorporate local Indian motifs such as the eight-petalled flower and of course the tiger. They are a rare and particularly fine example of the refinement achieved in local courts during the Raj in the 19th century.