Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar’s Jewelry Casket

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About the Item

An amazing artifact of the powerful, centuries-old Mughal dynasty, this jewelry casket was almost certainly created for and used by the last Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar (1775-1862). The Mughal Shahs are believed to have been the richest men of all time, as their rule over the entire Indian subcontinent gave the Empire access to the most prolific sources of the rare gemstones, pearls and other natural treasures than all the kingdoms of Europe combined. Toward the end of his reign, Zafar had lost much of his power with the overwhelming supremacy of the East India Company, and when he was captured and tried as the head of the Indian Rebellion of 1857, Zafar’s possessions, including this chest, were seized from him. The emperor was exiled to Rangoon, in the British-controlled area in Burma (Myanmar) and charged with conspiracy. While the control of the East India Company also ceased, the official beginning of rule under the British crown was marked by the auction of valuable relics from Zafar’s court, including this jewelry casket. One such artifact was Zafar’s crown, which was purchased by Major Robert Tytler of the Native Infantry and later gifted to Queen Victoria. The headdress, crafted of gold, rubies, diamonds, pearls, emeralds and feathers, is prominently inlaid into diamond-shaped plaques attached to the interior lid of this remarkable chest. Because of cultural differences, furniture was largely a Western construct except for nobility and the upper echelons of society that greatly appreciated the “exotic” creations of Europeans and could afford to have Mughal artisans Craft custom pieces for their exclusive use. Caskets, in particular, are known to have been created for the Mughal court in the imperial ateliers. Evidence of this can be found in Mughal manuscripts and artworks dating as early as the 16th century that clearly depict nobility utilizing caskets to transport jewels and precious objects. The creations toward the end of Mughal reign showed the tremendous influence of Western aesthetics blended with native decorative elements. This dichotomy of “East meets West” is perfectly illustrated by the craftsmanship displayed in this casket. The casket’s exterior and footed Stand are crafted entirely of Padouk (or Padauk) wood. Closely resembling rosewood, this timber has a wonderful deep red hue and is reminiscent of a Fine English Regency creation, especially when combined with the brass strapping and carrying handles. Because even the residences of nobility customarily lacked tables, this casket was made to be placed directly on the floor. The interior is a marvel to behold, with its myriad of precisely fitted compartments, pigeon holes, trays, covered boxes secretive spaces formed of Indian Rosewood punctuated by decorative carvings, inlays and bone elements of clear Mughal artistry. The most thrilling aspect of the interior’s design is that each compartment “mirrors” the layout of the overall interior. Scarlet, royal blue and deep green fabrics line several lids and compartments, giving an additional air of luxuriousness to this remarkable cabinet. Because furniture remained in the realm of the elite, there exist today almost no examples of surviving Mughal furniture. The combination of its incredible rarity with strong indications of royal provenance make this casket a most exceptional and historically significant artifact of the bygone Mughal Empire. The scant few specimens of Mughal caskets that have been positively identified are the precious holdings of prestigious museum collections, including The David Collection in Copenhagen, the Museu do Tesouro da Sé and Museu Nacional de Arte Antigua in Lisbon, and the Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art in London. Yet, none of these have the indications of royal provenance. circa 1840 Measures: 31 1/2” wide x 20” deep x 23 3/4” high.

Dimensions:
Height: 23.75 in (60.33 cm)Width: 31.5 in (80.01 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)
Style:
Regency (In the Style Of)
Materials and Techniques:
Bone,Brass,Padouk,Rosewood,Inlay
Place of Origin:
Asia
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1840
Condition:
Seller Location:
New Orleans, LA
Reference Number:
Seller: 30-64891stDibs: LU891111777241

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