A UNIQUE AND IMPORTANT GOLD, SILVER AND FABRIC EMBELLISHED TEMPLE-SHAPED CEREMONIAL BOX GIFTED TO HER HIGHNESS THE MAHARAJAH OF PUDUKKOTTAI BY HIS MOST LOYAL SUBJECT BY M.S. NALLASAMIASARI & BROS. SOUTHERN INDIA, TAMIL NADU, PUDUKKOTTAI KINGDOM, 19TH CENTURY AND MORE LIKELY CIRCA 1880-1920 The box is of rectangular shape and rests on four short feet, the lid is centered by a temple-shaped stepped-dome adorned with baluster elements. The box is all covered with a reticulated silver net finely chiseled with hybrid lions or ‘Kanglasha’ further enhanced with two gold medallions depicting Hinduism deities ( Shiva Natajara and possibly Lakshmi). Under this silver net, the box is all covered with a red fabric. The lid opens by a lock centering the front part (missing key) and is retained by hinges. The front and back central parts are engraved with a single dedication split into two parts: ‘TO H.H. THE MAHARAJAH OF PUDUKOTTAI’ and ‘FROM HIS MOST LOYAL SUBJECT’. There is a further inscription, that of the maker: ‘M.S. NALLASAMIASARI & BROS. PUDUKOTAI’. H: 18,9 cm - w: 25,7 cm - depth: 11,6 cm Gross weight: 1278,9 grams Notes: 1. Pudukkottai was a kingdom founded in 1680 which came under British protectorate in 1800 and was later dissolved in 1948. The Kingdom of Pudukkottai was founded in circa 1680 as a feudatory of Ramnad and grew with subsequent additions from Tanjore, Sivaganga and Ramnad. After the Carnatic, Anglo-Mysore and Polygar wars, the kingdom entered a Subsidiary Alliance with the East India Company in 1800. The state was placed under the protectorate of Madras Presidency from 1800 until 1 October 1923, when the Madras States Agency was abolished, and until 1948 it was under the political control of the Government of India. 2. The Thondaimans are Rajput chieftains who ruled the region in and around Pudukkottai from the 17th to 20th century. The Pudukkottai Thondaiman dynasty was founded by Raghunatha Thondaiman, the brother-in-law of the then Raja of Ramnad, Raghunatha Kilavan Setupati. 3. The title of ‘Her Highness’ (H.H.) was conferred upon Ramachandra Tondaiman and his descendants for the first time in 1884. As a result, this ceremonial box may have been gifted to either: - Ramachandra Tondaiman (1839-1886); - Martanda Bhairava Tondaiman (1886-1928); - Rajagopala Tondaiman (1928-1948). NOTE: CONDITION REPORTS AND MEASUREMENTS It is up to the bidder to satisfy themselves prior to buying as to the condition of a lot. In relation to Condition Reports, whilst we make certain observations on the lot, which are intended to be as helpful as possible, references in the condition report to damage or restoration are for guidance. The absence of such a reference does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of any others. The condition report is an expression of opinion only and must not be treated as a statement of fact. Measurements and weight are approximate and the potential bidder may re-ask it to be checked when asking for a condition report.