Clive of India's Mughal loot up for sale

Mughal treasures brought to Britain by Robert Clive, who conquered much of India, are to be sold by his descendants at Christie's where they are expected to fetch more than £1.1 million.

The collection, which includes a rare 17th century jewelled jade flask that should sell for more than £1 million, was on display in British museums until recently when the family decided to sell it.

The pieces were acquired by Clive of India, as he became known, after a series of campaigns culminating in the Battle of Plassey in 1757 which brought most of India under British control.

The flask was once part of the collection at the imperial court in Delhi and was probably looted from the Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah by Nadir Shah, a Persian king who invaded India in 1739. . .

The collection also includes a hookah encrusted with sapphires which is expected to fetch £50,000 to £80,000, a decorated dagger which should sell for £35,000 to £50,000, a jade bowl and a flywhisk.

Until recently the flask was on display at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London where it had been on loan since the early 1960s.

From the Telegraph. The Independent also notes about the flask:

One of only three such flasks, it is 25cm high and is decorated with bands of emeralds and ruby flowers, all set in gold. By coincidence, the other two flasks, both in the collection of the Hermitage in St Petersburg, will be on display in London at Somerset House when the auction takes place at Christie's on 27 April.

The Guardian adds:

Clive, who came from minor country gentry in Shropshire, eventually estimated his personal fortune, after 35 years with the East India Company stamping English rule on the sub-continent, at over £400,000. His original contract with the company offered him £70 a year.

He survived the parliamentary inquiry, a society sensation in 1773, declaring fiercely: "By God, Mr Chairman, at this moment I stand astonished at my own moderation."

Some pictures here. I can't find anything on the Christie's website as yet.

Posted by David on February 11, 2004 2:47 PM