The Family Collection of the late Countess Mountbatten of Burma
The Family Collection of the late Countess Mountbatten of Burma
Auction Closed
March 24, 08:41 PM GMT
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
A pair of silver equestrian figures of the Viceroy of India's bodyguard
Garrard & Co. Ltd., London, 1968
realistically modelled, on rectangular silver bases and ebonised wood plinths with applied silver plaques inscribed Viceroy's Bodyguard, Replacement of Governor of Bombay's Bodyguard Statuettes/(Made by 5th Lord Brabourne)/Stolen in Newhouse Burglary 1964, bases also stamped Garrard & Co. Ltd, 112 Regent Street W
37cm high
The Viceroy's Bodyguard was originally known as 'The Governor's (of the East India Company) Mughal Regiment'. It was established by Warren Hasting in 1773 and has a distinguished history, not just in India: it aided in the defeat of Napoleon in Egypt in 1801.
In 1858 when Lord Canning became Viceroy the regiment was transferred to the Crown and became known as 'The Viceroy's Bodyguard'. It served with distinction in both the 1st and the 2nd World Wars. It continues today as 'The President's Bodyguard'. These silver models were commissioned to mark Lord Brabourne's period of office as Viceroy.