Splendours of the Sub-continent: A Prince’s Tour of India 1875-6

Sumptuous exhibition at the Queen’s Gallery of the gifts given to Edward VII when he toured India as Prince of Wales in 1875-76.
 
The show discussed the objects and why they were given to him. Each of the luscious items had a good description about who gave the item but also about the craft work involved in making it. It also talked about the exhibition of the items at the Victoria and Albert  Museum on his return which attracted over 30,000 visitors in a week and the money raised from entrance fees went towards buying objects to add to the museum’s India collections.

I loved a set of brass military figures made so that the ruler could review his troops every day and a fabulous ink stand, shown here, in the shape of a boat which breaks into 19 pieces including pens and blotters. My favourite a perfume holder in bright enamels.


 
I would have liked to see a bit more about the tour itself and Sydney Prior Hall’s watercolours of the tour which I have seen in other exhibitions. 
 
Closes on 14 October 2018
 
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