3-043-769 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Gift of the late Earl of Mayo to the Rajah of Kuppoorthulla, 1872. 'The Rajah of Kuppoorthala, or Kapporthulla is an independent native Prince in the Punjaub, whose praiseworthy conduct as a ruler, and his faithful friendship with the British Indian Government, have frequently been commended...The late lamented Viceroy, the Earl of Mayo, having been hospitably and sumptuously entertained by the Maharajah, when on his returning journey from the Kangra Valley, a few weeks before his death, ordered a suitable gift to be prepared and sent to his Highness, as an acknowledgment of such princely behaviour. It consists of a set of solid silver vessels, inlaid and enriched with gold. They are "serais" and other vessels, of the form used for the ceremonial presentation of perfumes and betel-leaf, "attar and pawn," to visitors of rank in the palace of an Indian nobleman. The vessels were manufactured by a native Indian artist...[the inscription reads]: "The Earl of Mayo, Viceroy and Governor-General of India, to his Highness the Rajah of Kuppoorthala, in remembrance of his visit to Kangra Valley, November, 1871." We are enabled, by favour of Messrs. Hunt and Roskell, to give an Illustration of this handsome specimen of the Indian goldsmith's art'. From "Illustrated London News", 1872.