Maharaja Ranjit Singh's throne
Maharaja Ranjit Singh's throne was made by the goldsmith Hafez Muhammad Multani about 1820 to 1830, for the eponymous ruler of the Sikh empire. It is made of a wood and resin core, covered with sheets of repoussé, chased and engraved gold.[1]
Overview
It shows the splendour of Ranjit Singh's court and is decorated with richly worked sheets of gold. The distinctive cusped base of this throne is composed of two tiers of lotus petals. The lotus is a symbol of purity and creation and a Lotus throne has traditionally been used as a seat or throne for Hindu gods. It is thought that as the Maharaja was renowned for the simplicity of his appearance and dislike of ceremony he rarely sat on this throne, preferring to sit cross-legged on carpets.
The throne was part of the State Property taken by the
The throne later passed to the
Bibliography
- Jackson, Anna, ed. (2001). V&A: A Hundred Highlights. V&A Publications.
References
External links
- The Court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh V&A Museum.