Tipu collection to come under Sotheby hammer

The sale will contain around 165 lots and is estimated to fetch more than £2.2 million. One of the highlights in the sale is a 17th century Mughal dagger which is estimated at £80,000 to £120,000.

The single owner sale will include an outstanding group of weaponry and other rarities captured after the British stormed Tipu Sultan’s palace at Srirangapatnam near Mysore in Karnataka in May 1799. Another highlight would be an exotic gem-set trophy sword, estimated to fetch £50,000 to £70,000. The pommel was taken from Tipu’s regalia of office and was evidently made to match the eight larger tigers head finials, which surrounded the rail of his celebrated gold throne.

The throne itself was described by European visitors to Tipu’s court and was clearly a thing of great wonder supported by a life-size tiger made of gold inset with rubies, emeralds and diamonds.

After the siege, British soldiers broke the throne into pieces. The collection includes a magnificent embroidered canopy stitched with tiger stripes in gold and silver thread from Tipu’s throne, estimated at £30,000 to £40,000 .

The group of weaponry is highlighted by Tipu’s silver-mounted flintlock sporting gun with stock carved in the form of a leaping tiger, by Asad Khan Muhammed, Mysore, 1793-94. The tiger detailing even extends along the barrel of the gun, which flashes with tiger stripes. It is a sensational weapon and is estimated to fetch £80,000 to £120,000.

Other items include two field cannons from Tipu’s palace with barrels in the form of roaring tigers. One is estimated at £40,000, while the other may fetch £35,000.