Rectangular Vai??ava stamp, on which are depicted the Vi??upada; cakra, 'sankha, gada and padma; filled with laksana. The top edge of the stamp is crenallated.
Made of bronze. Inscribed.
19thC
Made in Bengal
Text and image credit:
? Trustees of the British Museum
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Inkpot of the Emperor Jahangir
dated A.H. 1028/A.D. 1618?19
Sturdy, monumental, artfully rounded, richly adorned, and so weighty and well balanced that it could hardly be overturned, this dignified and useful inkpot can be seen as a poetic visual symbol of the empire inherited by Jahangir. If hi...
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A highly important Sultanate gem-set gold Ring made for Mu'izz al-Din Muhammad bin Sam (AH 569-602/ AD 1173-1206), the first Muslim conqueror of Delhi.
All six gems in the ring are set in kundan technique; the ring with three bezel set octahedral diamonds, the underside of its bezel with an insc...
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The famous Sword of Tipu Sultan was found in Tipu's bed-chamber after he was defeated by the British on May 4th, 1799. The Sword was publicly presented by General Harris to General Baird, who had led the assault. On behalf of the British Army, it was presented by Major Allan, Deputy Quarter-Maste...
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Probably the earliest known representation of Shiva:
Gold dinar, c. 200-225 CE
Weight: 8.02 gm., Diam: 21 mm., Die axis: 12 o'clock
Crowned, diademed king standing facing, nimbate, holding trident and sacrificing at altar at left, second trident above fire altar, Bactrian legend around:
?AONAN...
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An important gem-set gold Navratna Pendant from the Treasury of Tipu Sultan, The Tiger of Mysore (1750-99), Mysore (Seringapatam), late 18th Century
Octagonal, set with a large central cushion flat back cabochon Columbian emerald, within a border of topaz, blue sapphire, zircon, cat's eye, ruby,...
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Comprising a necklace, bracelet and brooch; the frontispiece of the necklace comprising a series of green glass set pearshaped and oval plaques, suspending three pearshaped drops, all depicting scenes of wildlife amongst foliage, including peacock...
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Two bronze Pumps (pichkari) for the festival of Holi
India, 19th Century
Of cylindrical form with polychrome painted turned wooden handles and spouts emanating from terminals in the form of an elephant and makara head.
The larger 55 cm. long (approx.)
Collected in the Narmada River as sacred stones by Hindus for over 4,000 years, lingams are ancient sacred objects. As symbols of Shiva, they are believed to impart powers of fertility. According to local belief, lingams were marked by a m...
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Brahmanical temple cloth of coarse cotton fabric painted, chiefly in red and black, with Vaishnava subjects illustrating the incarnations (avatares) of the Hindu deity Vishnu.
Gond musical instrument made of wood, cord (vegetable fibre).
'Wood musical instrument; each arm terminates in a clapper, which is pierced and secured by a vegetable fibre cord. "Chatka". Makes a "clapping noise" when strings are pulled (strings missing).'
This rosewood box was made in Travancore (modern-day Kerala). It has mounted plaques of koftgari work. Koftgari is the technique of inlaying pure silver or, less frequently, gold wire, into a steel ground. The designs worked on these plaques represent birds...
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Writng box and games board, rosewood, c.1855 or c.1867, Calcutta.
This writing case has several uses. The lid is marked out for various games, including cribbage, chess and fox and geese. It lifts up and folds out into a velvet-lined writing slope with compartments for ink, pens and paper. The...
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Card board game, Patchesi, made in England by John Jaques & Son Ltd in the 1890s
Pachisi has been played in India for many centuries and is considered the country's national game. The name is derived from the Indian word for 25, which is the highest throw of cowrie shell dice. The game was int...
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Pachisi game board of wood, straw and cotton made in India in the 1970s
Pachisi is considered as a national game of India and it was introduced into England towards the end of the 19th century, hence Jaques patent of 1887. Pachisi is usually played on a cross shaped panel of cloth created from a...
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