Tipu`s throne to go under the hammer on April 2

London, Mar 24 (PTI) After Mahatma Gandhi's personal
belongings, some more of India's heritage is to go under the
hammer -- this time, a gem-set gold finial from the throne of
Tipu Sultan will be auctioned in London next week.

The recently discovered gem-encrusted gold finial
plundered from Tipu Sultan's huge golden throne is being put
up for sale in the British capital on April 2, ten years after
it was found lying in the vaults of an English bank.

The object, found by the Bonhams Islamic Department
during a routine valuation, is one of three surviving tiger
head finials that adorned Tipu's elaborate throne.

It had lain at Featherstone Castle, Northumberland,
where it was listed in an 1843 inventory of the late Baron
Wallace of Knarsdale (1768-1844), who oversaw the East India
Company, and afterwards was hidden away in a bank.

In fact, the famous golden throne was broken
up so quickly -- much to the disapproval of the then Governor-
General Lord Wellesley -- following the fall of Seringapatam
that little is known about the fate of the remaining relics.

However, a large gold tiger head from the front of the
throne platform now resides at Windsor Castle, while another
surviving finial lies at Powis Castle, acquired by the second
Lady Clive in India.

Auctioneers Bonhams, who have described the finial as
actually "one of the most important Tipu items ever to appear
for sale", valued it at 800,000 pounds, the British media has
reported.

"It holds huge fascination for both India and Britain
as it is part of our shared history. It is, without a doubt,
of the greatest historical significance as it belongs to the
most important symbolic object in Tipu's kingdom, his throne,
which he refused to mount until he had defeated the British,"
Claire Penhallurick of Bonhams was quoted as saying. PTI