Beschreibung:

India & Punjab – Pair of Scarce and Rare Indian Miniature Paintings ‘The Lucknow Begum’ (Begum Hazrat Mahal) and ‘The Rajah of Benares (Kumar Sri Ishwari Prasad Nasayan Singh 1822-1889) 19th century - in blacked glass surround, measures 43x56mm, with provenance written on the reverse ‘The Lucknow Begum’ Begum Hazrat Mahal was the only Queen left in Lucknow after the King was banished to Calcutta in 1856. She remained there during the Mutiny and declared her son King of Oude, taking an active part as a leader of the rebels. She eventually withdrew to asylum in Nepal, where she died in 1879. She is now lauded as a hero of the Indian rebellion. There are only two original portraits of Hazrat Mahal and as such this is an exceptionally rare item of unique interest. Provenance: The information to the reverse of this item indicates it was taken from the Palace of Lucknow, this could have only happened during the Indian Mutiny in March 1858 when the city was captured and subsequently looted. The Palace could either be the Begum Kothi or the [Qasiar Bagh] (Kaiserbagh), both of which saw heavy fighting and much looting. ‘Rajah of Benares Taken from the Palace of Lucknow by one of Mr Venables Officers’. Mr Venables (1818-1858) was an Indigo planter of Azimghur who raised a troop of volunteers’ and went with General Franks 4th Division to Lucknow which took part in the attack on the Begum Kothi and [Qasiar Bagh] (Kaiserbagh) Palace. It seems one of his officers looted this as well as the lot previous, associated miniature of Begum Hazrat Mahal. Provenance: The information to the reverse of this item indicates it was taken from the Palace of Lucknow, this could have only happened during the Indian Mutiny in March 1858 when the city was captured and subsequently looted. The Palace could either be the Begum Kothi or the [Qasiar Bagh] (Kaiserbagh), both of which saw heavy fighting and much looting, measures 55x60mm with provenance written on the reverse (2)