Tuesday 10 June 2025

Lot 98

A first class order of the Durrani Empire, made for officers of the Bengal Army, Afghanistan,...

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Lot 98

A first class order of the Durrani Empire, made for officers of the Bengal Army, 
Afghanistan,...

Price Realised: £9,184

Estimate: £3,000 - £5,000

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Price realised is hammer price plus fees (31.2% Buyers Premium inclusive of VAT).

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Lot 98

Description

A first class order of the Durrani Empire, made for officers of the Bengal Army, 
Afghanistan, circa 1839-42, 

Presented by Maharaja Ranjit Singh to Sir Claude Martin Wade, comprising a medal and star, the star with an overlaid gilt eight-pointed Maltese cross on two crossed swords, set with white stones on each arm of the gold cross, fifteen imitation pearls (two missing) circling a blue and green enamelled centre inscribed in nasta'liq, the reverse fitted with a brooch-pin; the medal, a Maltese cross with 17 imitation pearls surrounding a similar enamelled centre, the reverse plain, on a red and green ribbon

The larger 9.5cm.

(2)

The enamelled central panels on both medal reads: ila min allah, sarkar shah shuja al-mulk dur duran, '[Nothing except Allah], His excellency Shah Shuja al-Mulk Dur Duran'

Provenance :
The collection of Colonel Sir Claude Martine Wade (3 April 1794-21 October 1861), thence by descent
Christie's London, 28 October 2020, lot 86

 

Shah Shujah Durrani (1785 –1842) was ruler of the Durrani Empire from 1803 to 1809. He then ruled from 1839 until his death in 1842. Son of Timur Shah Durrani, Shujah was of the Sadduzai line of the Abdali group of Pashtuns. He became the fifth King of the Durrani Empire. 

In June 1809, he was overthrown by his predecessor Mahmud Shah in the battle of Nimla, and went into exile in the Punjab, where he was captured by Jahandad Khan Bamizai and imprisoned at Attok (1811–1812) and then taken to Kashmir (1812–1813) by Atta Muhammad Khan. When Mahmud Shah's vizier Fateh Khan invaded Kashmir alongside Ranjit Singh's army, Shujah chose to leave with the Sikh army. He stayed in Lahore from 1813 to 1814. During his time in India, Shujah was imprisoned and forced to give up the Timur Ruby, Koh-i-Noor, and the sister diamond Dray-i-Nur to Ranjit Singh. He escaped from Ranjit's detention at the Mubarek Haveli Lahore for Ludhiana and the East India Company.

From 1818 onward, Shujah who liked to live in a lavish style with his wives and concubines had collected a pension from the East India Company, which thought Shujah might prove useful one day. Shujah stayed first in Ludhiana where he was joined by Zeman Shah in 1821. The place where he stayed in Ludhiana was occupied by the Main Post Office near Mata Rani Chowk and inside it there used to be a white marble stone commemorating his stay there

Buyer's Premium

The buyer shall pay the hammer price together with a premium thereon of 26% up to £20,000 (31.2% inclusive of VAT), 25% from £20,001 - £500,000 (30% inclusive of VAT), 20% from £500,001 thereafter (24% inclusive of VAT). The premium price is subject to VAT at the standard rate.

VAT
VAT is not charged on the hammer price unless it is stated that there is 'VAT applicable on the hammer price at the end of the description. Buyer's premium is subject to VAT.
(ARR) - ARTIST'S RESALE RIGHT

Qualifying living artists and the descendants of artists deceased within the last 70 years are entitled to receive a re-sale royalty each time their work is bought through an auction house or art market professional.

It applies to lots with hammer value over £1,000 as follows:
0 to £50,000 - 4%
£50,000.01 to £200,000 - 3%
£200,000.01 to £350,000 - 1%
£350,000.01 to £500,000 - 0.5%
Exceeding £500,000 - 0.25%
ARR is capped at £12,500

Please note ARR is calculated in euros. Auctioneers will apply current exchange rates.

Export of goods

Buyers intending to export goods should ascertain whether an export licence is required before bidding. Export licences are issued by Arts Council England and application forms can be obtained from its Export Licensing Unit. Details can be found on the ACE website www.artscouncil.org.uk or by phoning ACE on 020 7973 5188. The need for import licences varies from country to country and you should acquaint yourself with all relevant local requirements and provisions before bidding. The refusal of any such licences shall not permit the cancelling of any sale nor allow any delay in making full payment for the lot.

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