Indian royal treasures go on display in Bradford and Leicester
- Published
This gold enamelled and diamond-set ink stand is in the form of a state barge
A collection of rare Indian objects belonging to the Royal Collection are being shown in Bradford and Leicester.
The items were presented to Edward, Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VII, during his Indian tour of 1875-6.
The four-month tour, which included modern-day India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Nepal, came after the proclamation of Queen Victoria as Empress of India.
The story of the tour is told through paintings, photographs and art works given to the prince.
He travelled 7,600 miles (12,231km) by land and 2,300 miles (3,701km) by sea and met over 90 rulers of the different regions he visited.
On his return from the four-month tour he arranged for the items to go on public display across Britain.
This set was at the time the largest ever produced in Jaipur enamel and is believed to have taken four years to make
Prince Edward received the gifts during traditional exchanges with many of the 90 rulers he met across the subcontinent
This gold set engraved with floral decorations was made up of objects associated with welcoming visitors to an Indian court
This is a traditional turban ornament, consisting of emeralds and diamonds, known as a sirpech
These brass military figures were presented to the prince during a visit to Madras
Splendours of the Subcontinent: A Prince's Tour of India 1875-76 runs at Cartwright Hall in Bradford from 11 March until the 18 June.
It will be shown at New Walk Museum and Art Gallery in Leicester from 8 July until 29 October.