λ A PAIR OF IVORY PORTRAIT MINIATURES OF MAHARAJA RANJIT SINGH'S SONS, KHARAK AND SHER
PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE ENGLISH ESTATE
Punjab, Northern India, mid to late 19th century

Opaque pigments on ivory medallions, depicting Kharak Singh (r. June 1839 - October 1839), the eldest son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, wearing a green turban and a heavily bejewelled sarpeech (turban ornament), and his brother Sher Singh (r. 1841 - 1843), wearing a less ornate pink turban, mounted in glazed frames with pin attachments, the names of both rulers engraved in English on the back, with suspended chains and pendant, the largest 4.5cm x 3cm.

Provenance: from the estate of the present vendor's mother, a descendant of Sir Henry Bartle Edwards Frere (1815 - 1884), Chief Commissioner of Sindh (1850 - 1859); Assistant Revenue Collector in Bombay in 1834; Governor of Bombay (1862 - 1867); and an active member of the India Council in London (1867–77). By repute in the family collection since 1860s - 1870s.

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Dimensions: the largest 4.5cm x 3cm