An extremely rare and fine example of the Order of the Propitious Star of the Punjab (Kaukab-i-Iqbal-i-Punjab), INSTITUTED BY MAHARAJA RANJIT SINGH, SECOND CLASS, AWARDED BY THE SIKH COURT TO IMPORTANT COURTIERS, DIPLOMATS OR ENVOYS Lahore, dated [VS] 1894/AD 1837in the form of a radiating star in gold, in the centre a circular portrait of Maharajah Ranjit Singh seated on a chair holding a flower, in gouache and gold on paper under glass, the radiating arms consisting of five broad arms ending in a crescent shape and each inlaid with free-formed sectional tablecut diamonds, these interspersed with five narrower curved arms each inlaid with a principal tablecut diamond and tipped with a brilliant green cabochon emerald, the upper broad arm with small gold suspension loop below a gilded and enamelled bell- or parasol-shaped suspension, topped by a larger gold suspension ring, the reverse with a central roundel containing three lines of Punjabi text in nasta'liq script and the date in gold on a green ground, the broad arms with stylised floral motifs in gold on a green ground, the narrow arms cross-hatched in red enamel, in modern fitted case 9.4 cm. high overall; width 5.2 cm.; painting 20 mm. diam.; weight 57.8g.Footnotes:ProvenanceWith Spink & Son Ltd., London, 1965 (see below).Private collection, USA, acquired from Spink in 1965.Private collection, UK. PublishedSpink & Son Ltd., Numismatic Circular, 73 (September 1965), no. 5442 (illustrated).The inscription on the reverse reads:sri maharajah dehraj maharajah ranjit singh bahadur sat sri akal sahai 1894. 'Sri Maharajah Dehraj Maharajah Ranjit Singh Bahadur, may the Eternal Lord help him, [VS] 1894'.The date is Vikram Samwat 1894, which is equivalent to AD 1837.It is suggested in some sources that this Order, the Propitious Star of the Punjab (Kaukab-i-Iqbal-i-Punjab), was instituted in commemoration of the marriage of Ranjit Singh's grandson, Nau Nihal Singh. What is clear, however, is that in a more general sense, Ranjit Singh had become fascinated by the idea of European medals and orders, as a result of the well-known profusion of British and French officers and other figures at Lahore and in the Punjab more widely. Sir Henry Fane's medals had attracted the Maharajah's curiosity when he arrived at the court in 1837 for the marriage of Nau Nihal Singh (quoted in S. Stronge (ed.), The Arts of the Sikh Kingdoms, London 1999, p.229). General Allard, the French General in Ranjit Singh's service, also wore the Legion d'Honneur (instituted by Napoleon). In some accounts it was Fane who then suggested that medals be introduced at court. Other sources say that it was Captain C. M. Wade, Political Agent at Lodhiana, who developed the rules for granting the awards. But it was decided to make three fixed awards - the highest for Princes, the second class (as seen in our example) for 'relatives and brotherhood' of the Maharajah and the third for high dignitaries, colonels, and those providing honourable service. These would be differentiated by the quality of the stones: respectively, diamonds, diamonds and emeralds, or emeralds only. The recipient of our Order is unknown but its quality is of that intended for presentation to courtiers, sardars, governors of provinces, General officers, diplomats and envoys (see T. McClenaghan, Indian Princely Medals: a Record of the Orders, Decorations and Medals of the Indian Princely States, pp. 11-18; also discussed in Maharaja Ranjit Singh: First Death Centenary Memorial, Amritsar 1939, pp. 94-96).The portrait depicts Maharajah Ranjit Singh holding a flower, seated in one of the characteristic European-style chairs often seen in Sikh portraits (and here with the distinctive loop in the arm where it meets the backrest, as noted by Toor (for a painting of circa 1830-32 depicting Ranjit Singh with Hira Singh, in a similar pose and in such a chair, see D. Toor, In Pursuit of Empire: Treasures from the Toor Collection of Sikh Art, London 2018, pp. 80-81; see also another in the Kapany Collection, illustrated in S. Stronge, op. cit., p. 74, fig. 79). The present depiction seems to be unique amongst the known Orders (for which see below) in portraying the Maharajah full-length.Examples of these orders are very rare. A very similar medal, of the second class, which was presented to Lord Auckland in 1838, is now in the Sheesh Mahal Museum and Medal Gallery in Patiala (illustrated in S. Stronge (ed.), op. cit., p. 82, fig. 90). This has floral decoration on the reverse rather than an inscription.Another, of the third class, said to have been formerly owned by Duleep Singh, and which was sold at Christie's in 1981, is in the Victoria and Albert Museum (inv.no.IS.92-1981; illustrated in J. Guy, D. Swallow (edd.), Arts of India: 1550-1900, London 1990, p. 191, fig. 166).Two, of the third class, presented to the Political Agent General Henry Charles van Corlandt, are also in the Sheesh Mahal Gallery, Patiala.One, presented to Sir Frederick Currie, Bt. (1798-1875), who drew up the peace treaty after the First Anglo-Sikh War, appeared at Christie's, Islamic Art, Indian Miniatures, Rugs and Carpets, 28th & 30th April 1992, lot 138 (illustrated in the catalogue), and now in the collection of Gurshuran and Elvira Sidhu, San Francisco: illustrated in S. Stronge, op. cit., p. 187, fig. 215; see also note, p. 230). This had a miniature portrait in a more European style, after Emily Eden's portrayal), had fish and floral motifs on the reverse, and was lacking the bell and suspension loops.Another, one of a group of medals and swords presented to Colonel Sir Claude Martine Wade (1794-1861), was offered at Christie's, Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, 28th October 2020, lot 86, also dated VS 189[4]/AD 1838, but with the painting defaced or damaged, and with a cream and red ribbon.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
