February

Gold forehead jewellery 'tikka' belonging to Maharani Jindan Kaur and by descent to Princess Sophia Duleep Singh. A crescent shape set with three uncut rubies and a crescent of rock crystal with many small pearls and gold leaf-shaped pieces hinging on it. The Tikka is worn from the centre of the head attached to ones' hair and sits firmly on the forehead.

HISTORY

On arriving in London, the India Office returned to Maharani Jindan Kaur her casket of Jewels from Lahore which had been confiscated when she had escaped from British custody. After her death her jewels were passed down to her son Maharajah Duleep Singh and thence to his various children. This piece formed part of Princess Sophia Duleep Singh's jewellery collection. The Tikka was later gifted by the Princess to her personal maid and companion, and thence by descent.

The 3D version was demonstrated on 21 March 2019 Leicester Museum and Art Gallery, Leicester.