State palanquin
Simpson and Co.
Category
Wooden objects
Date
1850
Materials
Cane, Gold, Conch, Paint, Wood, Silk
Measurements
533 mm (Height); 2083 mm (Length)
Place of origin
Madras
Order this imageCollection
Snowshill Manor and Garden, Gloucestershire
NT 1338873
Summary
Coachbuilders model of an Indian State Palanquin. The interior is lined with gold material. There is a seat at one end and a bolster at the other, both covered with the same material with red and cream piping. The coats of arms are on all exterior panels. In notebook no.5, page 104 (1340945.5) Charles Wade refers to: 'Large Garret no.81 Model of the State Palanquin of the Maharajah of Travancore, made by Hindoo workmen at Messrs Simpson and Co., Works, Madras. 1850 a carefully made model, painted Maroon & carving gilded.' Includes sketch. He also writes: 'The floor is of canework Light & cool. There are Crimson silk hangings. Gilded conc shell crest to roof and gilded Dragon heads to the ends of the carrying poles, which are stayed with well shaped iron work. Model is well made but the British Coachbuilders have quite failed to produce an Indian design.' Sketch above of whole item. Two more sketches below of coats of arms, one with words 'SREEPAL PANABHAN’ around; the other with words ‘HASHIG NESS THEMA RAJAHAP TRAVANCORE’
Provenance
CPW item 81 - bought from Louis Bobbe, 180 Brompton Road, London, 3rd November 1934, for £15 Given to the National Trust with Snowshill Manor in 1951 by Charles Paget Wade.
Makers and roles
Simpson and Co.
References
Wade, 1944: Charles Paget Wade, Contents of Snowshill Manor. Volume 5 Second Floor, 1944, Page 104