- 247
A fine chainmail coat inscribed with the name Habib-Shah ibn Ashraf-Shah Kuknar, India, Deccan, late 17th century
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
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Description
- metal
of riveted mail covering torso, arms and upper legs, enclosing at the front with two large plates fitted with three buckles extending from floral mounts with inscriptions in Persian and Devanagari, two smaller side plates forming a curve, the rear with three vertical registers of overlapping plaques
Provenance
Ex-collection Robin Wigington, Stratford-upon-Avon, England.
Condition
The chainmail with wear, some missing chain-links, with rusting as consistent with age and use, the central plaques with some abrasion and further oxidization, would benefit from a clean - please contact a specialist restorer for further advice, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
inscriptions
In Devanagari on exterior:
'Maharaja Anup Singh' and the number 10.
In Devanagari on interior:
'Maharaja Anup Singh...'
Second line: undeciphered...
In Urdu on exterior:
‘Habib-Shah bin Ashraf-Shah Kuknar (?)’
‘…. Sarkar-e Sultan ….’
The following word - possibly: 'Aurangzeb'
This impressive chainmail shirt forms part of a known group of similar examples which entered the armoury at Bikaner when Maharajah Anup Singh defeated the Adilshahi dynasty at Adoni in 1689. The Devanagari and Urdu inscriptions, each inscribed in a different hand, indicate the shirt's connection both to Maharaja Anup Singh, the tenth ruler of Bikaner, as well as to the Emperor Aurangzeb himself. This is a likely association as Maharaja Anu Singh was involved in Aurangzeb's Deccan campaigns.
The other name cited in Urdu is that of a certain: ‘Habib-Shah ibn Ashraf-Shah Kuknar (?)’, who most probably wore this shirt after its capture. Other similar examples from the same group, which also share an identical Devanagari inscription and an additional engraved name are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (inv. no. 2000.497), the Royal Armories, Leeds, and the Nasser D. Khalili Collection, London (see Alexander 1992, p.160, no.100 and Sotheby's, 16 October 2002, lot 64, both with the name: 'Darvish Sahib'). Further examples were sold at Sotheby's, 8 October 2008, lot 194 and 6 October 2010, lot 276. This particular example stands out as it is one of the only ones with the added inscription of the previous owner.
In Devanagari on exterior:
'Maharaja Anup Singh' and the number 10.
In Devanagari on interior:
'Maharaja Anup Singh...'
Second line: undeciphered...
In Urdu on exterior:
‘Habib-Shah bin Ashraf-Shah Kuknar (?)’
‘…. Sarkar-e Sultan ….’
The following word - possibly: 'Aurangzeb'
This impressive chainmail shirt forms part of a known group of similar examples which entered the armoury at Bikaner when Maharajah Anup Singh defeated the Adilshahi dynasty at Adoni in 1689. The Devanagari and Urdu inscriptions, each inscribed in a different hand, indicate the shirt's connection both to Maharaja Anup Singh, the tenth ruler of Bikaner, as well as to the Emperor Aurangzeb himself. This is a likely association as Maharaja Anu Singh was involved in Aurangzeb's Deccan campaigns.
The other name cited in Urdu is that of a certain: ‘Habib-Shah ibn Ashraf-Shah Kuknar (?)’, who most probably wore this shirt after its capture. Other similar examples from the same group, which also share an identical Devanagari inscription and an additional engraved name are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (inv. no. 2000.497), the Royal Armories, Leeds, and the Nasser D. Khalili Collection, London (see Alexander 1992, p.160, no.100 and Sotheby's, 16 October 2002, lot 64, both with the name: 'Darvish Sahib'). Further examples were sold at Sotheby's, 8 October 2008, lot 194 and 6 October 2010, lot 276. This particular example stands out as it is one of the only ones with the added inscription of the previous owner.