7 Tiger Head Finial

©Collection Robin Wigington

Tiger Head Finial, from Tipu Sultan's Throne Regalia, c1782-90 Gold, set with diamonds and rubies Head: 4 x 4.5 x 4 cm; sword: 80.12 x 10.2 cm Unknown Indian Artist

		his gold tiger head, with tiger stripe settings for the diamonds and rubies, was certainly part of the regalia of Tipu's throne, probably the finial of a rod of office. It is a miniature version of the smaller tiger heads set at each corner of the throne, one of which survives at Powis Castle, and was acquired in India by the second Lady Clive, an ardent collector of Tipu material. This miniature tiger head has subsequently been mounted as the pommel of a European sword, and a rather clumsy interpretation of the bubri motif has been incorporated in the decoration of the hilt.