This award was introduced by Ranjit Singh, the first Sikh maharaja of the Panjab (r.1801–1839), and seems to have been directly inspired by the French Legion d’honneur worn by one of his foreign military commanders, General Allard. It may be the ‘Star of the Prosperity of the Panjab’ instituted in 1837. The award was said to have been owned formerly by Dalip Singh, Ranjit Singh’s son and the last Sikh maharaja of the Panjab, who lost his territory when the Panjab was annexed by the British in 1849.
Physical description
The medal is of gold, and has a flat pendant with 10 projecting rays set with pale beryls on the front. The back has an enamelled ground of translucent green, decorated with white flowers that have opaque pale green leaves.The front is set with a circular portrait of Ranjit Singh sitting on a terrace with a white balustrade against a blue background. He holds a bow and is facing right. The upper domed section hangs from a circular ring and is enamelled in white, and translucent red and green.
Place of Origin
Lahore, Pakistan (made)
Date
1837-1839 (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Enamelled gold, set with emeralds and rock crystal
Dimensions
Height: 9.1 cm, Width: 4.8 cm
Historical context note
This was said to have belonged formerly to Dalip Singh, the last Sikh Maharaja of the Panjab who was deposed when the British annexed his territories in 1849. It was bought from Christie's, London, Objects of Vertu, Tuesday 24 February 1981, lot no. 25.
Descriptive line
Order of Merit; enamelled gold set with emeralds; Lahore, Pakistan; ca.1879.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Susan Stronge, Nima Smith and J.C. Harle, A Golden Treasury, V&A Publications, 1988, cat. 64. Susan Stronge, ed., The Arts of the Sikh Kingdoms, V&A Publications, London 1999, cat. 149 pp. 229-30, illus. pl. 99. Guy, J., and Swallow, D., (eds). ‘Arts of India: 1550-1900’. London : Victoria and Albert Museum, 1990. ISBN 1851770224. p.191, pl.166.
Susan Stronge, ed., The Arts of the Sikh Kingdoms, V&A Publications, 1999, cat. 149a, p.229 and pl. 99.
Susan Stronge, in The Indian Heritage. Court Life and Arts under Mughal Rule, V&A, 1982, cat. 302, p.109, ISBN 0906969263.
Exhibition History
The Arts of the Sikh Kingdoms (01/01/1999-31/12/1999)
Subjects depicted
Maharaja Ranjit Singh
Categories
Portraits; Royalty; Coins and Medals
Collection code
SSEA
