EDINBURGH, Scotland, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- UK Auction House Lyon and Turnbull is set to auction a ceremonial jacket that once belonged to Maharajah Duleep Singh, who was the last Sikh ruler of the Punjab, India. The sale will take place on December 9th in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The jacket with gold braid raised work on a maroon velvet ground is expected to fetch between 60,000 GBP / US$96,000, and a pair of shoes worn by him at 15,000 GBP / US$24,000.

Duleep Singh was the youngest son of the legendary Ranjit Singh, the "Lion-of-the-Punjab," who ruled the region by the power of his sword and with the fear of his name. A contemporary of Napoleon, he adopted a very European style for his army with an array of Europe's distinguished generals.

In 1843, the infant Duleep Singh was thrust forward as the Sovereign of "Land of the Five Rivers" at the tender age of five years, and found himself at the head of one of the most powerful independent kingdoms in the Indian sub-continent and a thorn in the advancement of the British Empire.

With misleading ministers and irresponsible guardians, two wars were fought against the British, resulting in the minor Duleep Singh separated from his mother, surrendering of the famed Koh-i-Noor diamond and removal from power by the underhanded means of the East India Company.

He was exiled to Britain, where he became an instant favorite of Queen Victoria. He passed his time with the creme de la creme of Victorian high society, shooting regular game with the Prince of Wales at his numerous Highland and English estates, and led a most extravagant and lavish lifestyle often above his means.

Queen Victoria was won over by the Maharajah on their first encounter. She stated, "He is extremely handsome and speaks English perfectly and has a pretty, graceful and dignified manner." She commissioned the Italian sculptor Carlo Marochetti in 1856 to create a bust of the handsome Maharajah, which is now in Osborne House.

After trying his hand at writing a West End play, standing for Parliament and playing the field, the deposed Sovereign became disillusioned by his surroundings and sought to make a stand against the tyrannical establishment under the watchful eye and encouragement of the French underworld and Tsarist Russia. His plans for resurrecting himself failed and he was tragically struck down with a stroke, dying alone and penniless in a Paris hotel room on the October 22, 1893 far from the riches of the Punjab.

The royal jacket on offer is a fine example of the richly embroidered velvets worn by the Maharajah for his formal court events, showing the high quality of workmanship fit only for an Indian Prince.

Also under the hammer will be an early painting of Maharajah Ranjit Singh, the father of Duleep Singh, which is expected to sell for 8,000 GBP / US$12,000. The sale will also offer an enamelled belt buckle reputedly worn by Saadat Khan who was the founder of the Oudh dynasty of Nawabs, a painting of Maharajah Jagat Singh II of Mewar and a host of other Indian artworks.

For further information, please contact:

Philip Gregory
Phone - +44 (0)131 557 8844
http://www.lyonandturnbull.com

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SOURCE Lyon and Turnbull

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