Item number: M374

Year: AD 1933-1947

Material: Silver-Gilt

Size: 54.0 x 30.7 x 1.1 mm

Weight: 21.2 g

Provenance: Andreas Thies EK 2024

This order, established in AD 1933, originates from the princely state of Patiala, located in the Punjab region of northwestern South Asia. It was issued by the ruling Maharaja, Sir Bhupinder Singh, as the “Order of the Holy Saint” (Guru Ghar Manya Mandal). The complete set of this decoration consists of a breast star, a grand sash, and a chain. The piece in the museum’s collection is a reduced size version of the order, designed as part of the chain. It is believed to have been commissioned by the recipient from a jeweller later.

The order is made of silver-gilt, featuring an oval design combined with a central rectangular panel depicting a portrait. The obverse side of the rectangular panel is decorated with an enamelled portrait of Sir Bhupinder Singh. He is depicted wearing traditional attire, holding a golden spear in one hand, while a white falcon perches on the other. To the left, a window frames a meticulously rendered outdoor scene.

The rectangular plaque is adorned on its sides with rose motifs, while the upper and lower edges are inscribed in Gurmukhi script on white enamel. The inscriptions translate to “One God, Grace, Challenger, Victory” and “The True King.”

According to historical records, no more than five of these medals were issued at any one time. The recipients were primarily prominent Sikh individuals within the state or foreign dignitaries of high status.

Sir Bhupinder Singh was born in AD 1891 and ascended to the throne of the princely state of Patiala at the young age of nine. During British colonial rule, Patiala was one of the most prominent princely states, enjoying the prestigious honour of a 17-gun salute.

In addition to being a close ally of the British and an accomplished cricket player, Sir Bhupinder Singh was an avid collector of medals and insignia from around the world. His collection reportedly comprised over 3,000 items, and he frequently commissioned the renowned British auction and jewelry house Spink to design and produce custom pieces. Many of these items, including his vast collection, are now displayed at the Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) in Patiala, which has been converted into a museum open to the public.

Sir Bhupinder Singh passed away in AD 1938. After the departure of British power from the Indian subcontinent in AD 1947, the princely state of Patiala chose to integrate into the newly independent India, becoming part of the modern-day state of Punjab.

物件編號: M374

年代: 公元 1933-1947 年

材質: 銀鍍金

尺寸: 54.0 x 30.7 x 1.1 mm

重量: 21.2 g

來源: 安德烈亞斯·蒂斯拍賣行 2024

這是設立於公元1933年，位處南亞次大陸西北部的旁遮普地區的錫克教勢力伯蒂亞拉土邦，其時任統治者布平德·辛格爵士發行之「聖人勳章」。這一組勳章的完整組合為一枚星章、一副大綬帶和項鍊。本館收藏是作為項鍊一部份的縮小版勳章，應為得獎者後續委託珠寶商所製。

勳章的材質為銀鍍金，外觀由橢圓形和中間有人物肖像的長方形組成。勳章正面的長方形有琺瑯彩繪的布平德·辛格爵士肖像。布平德·辛格爵士身穿傳統服飾，一手持著金色長矛，另一手則站著一隻白色的獵鷹。左側的窗戶勾勒出窗外精緻的風景。正方形銘牌的左右兩側以玫瑰花作為裝飾，上下兩側的白色琺瑯以旁遮普地區使用的古木基文標示「唯一的神、恩典、挑戰者、勝利」和「真正的國王」。根據相關的資料，每次頒發這枚勳章的數量不會超過五枚，其對象主要是國內的錫克教徒或國外的達官顯要。

布平德·辛格爵士生於公元1891年，以9歲的幼齡繼承王位，其統治的伯蒂亞拉土邦為英國殖民時代最為顯赫的土邦之一，擁有十七響禮炮的尊榮待遇。布平德·辛格爵士作為英國的親密盟友和出色的板球選手身分外，他還擁有收集各國徽章的雅趣，其收藏多達三千枚之譜，並且不時委託英國知名的斯賓克拍賣行兼珠寶行打造徽章。上述藏品在如今轉型為博物館的伯蒂亞拉鏡宮對大眾開放參觀。布平德·辛格爵士逝世於公元1938年，公元1947年英國勢力離開南亞次大陸後，伯蒂亞拉土邦選擇加入獨立後的印度，成為印度轄下的旁遮普邦。