- 206
A pierced steel armguard (bazuband), Mysore, India, Probably 17th century
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- steel with cloth inside
the chiselled and pierced decoration comprising bands with floral scrolls and a leafy stem in the centre, the interior lined with thick cloth backing
Literature
Elgood 2004, p.31. no.3.1.
Condition
In good condition, some oxidisation and rubbing to surface including minor areas with abrasion, 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
This striking bazuband features the Srikrishna inscription, which demonstrates that it was in the armoury of the Maharajah of Mysore in the early nineteenth century. Furthermore, this armguard is inscribed with the title of Krishna Rajah who assumed the throne on the death of Tipu Sultan in 1799 at the age of eight.
Such objects are well documented and it is interesting to note that similar pieces appear to have been part of the Tanjore Armoury and were inventorised as early as May 1860. This inventory, for the arms and armour in the Tanjore Armoury, lists amongst its jewel list: "six armour armlets" and nos. 7-8 as: "Dustana, or armour for the lower arm" (Elgood 2004, pp.217-224).
The ornamental decoration, comprising chiselled and pierced work, points to a date that could possibly be as early as the seventeenth century. The pierced decoration can be compared with an armguard in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, inv. no. 36.25.588, which had originally been obtained from the dealer William O. Oldman and catalogued by George C. Stone, who bequeathed it to the museum in 1935, as a Tanjore piece. Another comparison can be drawn with armguards in the Stibbert Museum in Florence (Robinson, R., H., Il Museo Stibbert a Firenze, Vol 4., Electa, 1976, plates 78 a, b, c, "bracciali dell'India meridionale, XII-XVIII secolo").
Such objects are well documented and it is interesting to note that similar pieces appear to have been part of the Tanjore Armoury and were inventorised as early as May 1860. This inventory, for the arms and armour in the Tanjore Armoury, lists amongst its jewel list: "six armour armlets" and nos. 7-8 as: "Dustana, or armour for the lower arm" (Elgood 2004, pp.217-224).
The ornamental decoration, comprising chiselled and pierced work, points to a date that could possibly be as early as the seventeenth century. The pierced decoration can be compared with an armguard in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, inv. no. 36.25.588, which had originally been obtained from the dealer William O. Oldman and catalogued by George C. Stone, who bequeathed it to the museum in 1935, as a Tanjore piece. Another comparison can be drawn with armguards in the Stibbert Museum in Florence (Robinson, R., H., Il Museo Stibbert a Firenze, Vol 4., Electa, 1976, plates 78 a, b, c, "bracciali dell'India meridionale, XII-XVIII secolo").