Maharani Jind Kaur's jewellery goes for record price!
Sikh art collector, Davinder Toor, reveals news of our latest exhibition featuring stunning objects from the Sikh Empire!
A pair of gold pendant earrings from the collection of Maharani Jind Kaur were sold at Bonhams in London on Tuesday 24 April. Their estimated value was £20,000-30,000. The earrings were part of possibly the world's greatest treasury, that of the Sikh Empire which was forged by Jind Kaur's husband, The Lion of Punjab, Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Jind Kaur was Ranjit Singh's last wife, mother to Maharaja Duleep Singh, and grandmother to leading suffragette Sophia Duleep Singh.
The earrings actually sold on the day for a staggering £182,000 (including costs) to Sikh art collector, Davinder Toor, a leading figure among a new generation of Sikh art collectors.
A few days later the BBC Asian Network's Big Debate show asked Davinder why he spent so much on the Maharani's jewellery. His reply revealed why he has such a lasting passion for Sikh art and history, and also broke news of our summer exhibition, which will run from 12 July to 23 September at the Brunei Gallery, SOAS, Russell Square!
Listen again to a fascinating glimpse into the collecting world of Davinder Toor who will be showcasing much of his incredible collection at this summer's expo below.
Objects from the Toor Collection have been exhibited at major global institutions, including at the Kunsthalle der Hypo-Kulturstiftung (Munich), Art Gallery of Ontario (Toronto), Asian Art Museum (San Francisco), and will be featured in his new book, 'In Pursuit of Empire', which will released in July 2018.