Thumb rings of this shape were originally used in archery as a way of releasing the bowstring accurately without injuring the hand. The rings were made from various hardstones including jade and agate, as in this example. This ring shows the skills of its maker in its smooth surface and the way the ring is carved to display the variegated bands of agate to best advantage. It is said to have been acquired immediately after the Siege of Seringapatam in 1799 when the contents of Tipu Sultan's treasury were shared out between the British soldiers who defeated the ruler of Mysore.
Physical description
Thumb ring, agate, with variegated bands of colour
Place of Origin
India (possibly, made)
Pakistan (possibly, made)
Date
late 17th century or early 18th century (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Agate
Dimensions
Length: 4 cm, Width: 2.9 cm, Height: 1.9 cm
Object history note
This was bought from Spinks (Indian and Islamic Works of Art, Monday 27 April to Friday 22 May 1992, cat. 48) , but was first offered for sale at Sotheby's on 24 April 1990 (lot 150 - bought in). It was part of a group of 3, all with the same provenance, given in the text for lot 149: "A note, written by Hannah Baillie (nee Greensill), wife of the Hon. William Douglas Hall Baillie, Member of the Legislative Council of New Zealand, reads as follows: "These thumb rings were your Gt. grandfather's share of the loot taken after the 3rd (& last) siege of Seringabatam [sic] in 1799 when the great Fortress was taken and Tippoo Saib himself slain whilst fighting desperately, together with 8000 men ...". A later footnote states that the note was written by Mrs Baillie 'for Para Marlborough & formerly Captain in 24th Regt. given to their daughter Eliza Balombe Brown, & then to her daughter Marjorie Spencer'.
Descriptive line
Thumb ring, agate, India or Pakistan, Mughal, late 17th or early 18th century.Formerly owned by Tipu Sultan.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
PIACENTI, Kirsten Aschengreen, Susan Stronge, Cristina Del Mare, Rita Sharma et al., Gioielli dall'India dai Moghul al Novecento, La Rinascente, Milan, 1996, catalogue number 161, p.187 Barnard, Nick. ‘Indian Jewellery : The V&A Collection’. London : V&A Publishing, 2008. ISBN 9781851774838, page 35, pl.2.6.
Labels and date
Thumb ring, agate, Mughal, late 17th century or early 18th century. This Mughal thumb ring was one of a group said to have been taken at the Siege of Seringapatam in 1799 when the British Army defeated Tipu Sultan, whose famous 'Tiger' may be seen in this gallery. As the court of Mysore was organised according to Mughal principles and Tipu Sultan is known to have collected Mughal artefacts of similar quality, the tradition is not unlikely. Presented by the Friends of the V&A. [About 1990]
Production Note
The Mughal empire straddled territory in both the modern states of India and Pakistan, which were created as separate entities in 1947. The object may have been made in either of these regions.
Categories
Jewellery
Collection code
SSEA
