9 Bubris on cloth armour

©Collection Robin Wigington cat 24

Cloth Armour Of Tipu Sultan Silver gilt thread, thickly embroidered on red velvet with appliqu� black velvet and sequins in a design of paired bubris 37 cm long (approx)

		he arm guards of two elaborately embroidered cloth armours survive, both with bubris forming strong, geometric pattens. Embroidered bubris also decorate Tipu's padded helmets, one set with sequins, another elegantly quilted, and both with steel nasal guards with damascened decoration of bubris, and inscriptions invoking the Prophet's aid. It was the gift of a quilted armour from Marquis Wellesley which first aroused the Prince Regent's interest in Tipu objects. The Prince(later George IV) paid a substantial sum for a gun, said to have belonged to Tipu, although the piece in fact came from Ceylon, and is not thought to have had any direct link with Tipu. The splendid quilted war coat was described by W.H.Pyne in 1819. 'The figure which is seated on the horse is arranged in a war dress of crimson silk damask, thickly wadded�the arms and hands are guarded with damascened steel armour, beautifully embossed with gold rubies and other gems. The helmet is also of wadded silk, with metal front. This suit of horse armour and costume belonged to the late Tippoo Saib' The same figure also appears in A C Pugin's early 19 century watercolour of 'The Carlton House Armory' in the Royal Collection