Splendours of the Subcontinent: a prince's tour of India 1875-6

Abstract

In October 1875, the Prince of Wales set off on a four-month tour of the Indian Subcontinent, visiting over 21 localities, which today encompass India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Nepal. During the tour he was presented with a wide array of beautiful gifts. Despite requests from the India Office that the hosts should exercise restraint, the resulting gifts were intricately wrought from precious metals and often jewelled. Not only did each one of them forge a personal link between the Prince and the donor, but as a collection they proved very influential in Europe. This fascinating publication presents the reader with a wide-ranging selection of South Asian works of art, which not only tell the story of the future king's tour but also the history of these intriguing objects. -- Exhibition: Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, Bradford, United Kingdom (11.03.2017-18.06.2017). / New Walk Museum & Art Gallery, Leicester, United Kingdom (08.07.2017-29.10.2017). / Queens Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, United Kingdom (December 2017). / Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace, London, United Kingdom (June 2018).