SHAH JAHAN’S DAGGER FOR AUCTION IN LONDON

Newstrack India
April 9 2008
India

India has been passionate destination for many tourists and invaders
for its rich culture and heritage, the same have been marked when
the rich valuable goes for sale.

Recently, the Sotheby Auction House cancelled the auction of armour
that was alleged to belong to the last Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.

But here is yet another sale that remind of India’s rich history which
is up on sale on April 10; a dagger used by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.

Bonham’s, the London-based fine art auctioneers and valuers, will
auction the dagger from the Jacques Desenfans collection. Jacques
spent 50 years collecting arms, armour, pottery and arts which were
a clear indication of his craze in Islamic, Indian and South East
Asian history and culture.

Shah Jahan who is also known as the greatest and richest master
of gemstones had this gold encrusted dagger during 1629-30 and is
expected to attract bids of around £300,000 – 500,000.

According to Banham’s Shah Jahan’s official titles, date and place of
birth has been inscribed in Nastaliq script on the blade of the dagger.

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s oldest and largest
auctioneers of fine art and antiques. Today, Bonhams offers more
sales than any of its rivals.

Last year, a marble bust of Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last Sikh king,
was sold for £1.7 million (Rs 13.36 crore) to an anonymous buyer at
an auction at Bonham’s. Earlier, business tycoon- Vijay Mallya too
has purchased the sword of Tipu Sultan at a London auction.

According to officials from Bonham’s, Jacques acquired the dagger
from an Armenian who was on a shopping in London with the dagger
hanging on him. Well versed in various languages he could read the
inscription written on the dagger and bought it.

According to the website of Bonham’s India in Photographs: the
Collection of Kanwardip Gujral and India and Beyond in Books and
Photography are on sale on April 09.

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