Crown of Bahadur Shah II

The Crown of the Bahadur Shah II is the head dress of last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah II (r. 1837 – 1857).

Crown of the Bahadur Shah II, ca 1850 painting

History

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It was created in the second quarter 19th century, most probably in Delhi or the surrounding areas by goldsmiths and jewellers. It is strictly speaking not a crown, but an article of head dress. The materials used are gold, turquoises, rubies, diamonds, pearls, emeralds, feathers and velvet. Its dimensions are 28.5 x 23.5 x 23.5 cm.[citation needed]

It is part of the Royal Collection with the inventory number RCIN 67236.

Further reading

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  • Jonathan Marsden. Victoria & Albert: Art & Love. The Royal Collection, London, 2010. ISBN 978-1905686216
  • Harriet Tytler. An Englishwoman in India: The Memoirs of Harriet Tytler, 1828-58. Oxford Paperbacks, Oxford, 1988. ISBN 978-0192821003
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