M A I N   N E W S

Special to the tribune
Shyam Bhatia in London
Karnataka to bid for royal carriage in UK auction
Valued at Rs 1 crore, it once belonged to Wodeyar family of Mysore 

Authorities in Karnataka are expected to bid for an historic 19th century state carriage that once belonged to the royal family of Mysore and is now up for sale at a public auction in the UK.

The olive green carriage, built for the ruling Wodeyar family of Mysore, is due to be sold this coming Saturday at Brooklands Museum in the UK. It has an estimated value of approximately Rs 1 crore and was used to transport the Wodeyars and their guests, including British royals such as the future Edward Vll who visited India in 1875.

It was an Australian buyer who first purchased the carriage from India back in the last century. It subsequently changed hands again when it was bought by a British collector who has carried out light restorative work.

India’s interest in this national heirloom has been expressed by PS Vastrada, Deputy Commissioner of Mysore city and Exhibition Officer of Mysore Palace Board, who told The Tribune: “We would like to have the carriage.”

Deputy Director of Mysore Palace Museum TS Subramanya, added: “We are interested in buying, we will be happy if it comes back to the museum. We are in correspondence with the chairman of the palace board and the Chief Secretary of the Government of Karnataka.”

Historics Auctions in the UK, which specialises in the sale of classics and sports cars, describe the carriage as a magnificent work of art, nearly 200 years old, that was used exclusively for the royal family of Mysore and to transport European royalty.

“It features an imposing and ornately finished cruciform body with a vaulted, domed roof, situated atop double elliptic springs and iron-bound artillery patterned wheels,” says a statement issued on behalf of the auctioneers.

“The basic colour is olive green embellished with delicate meander boarders, floral and heraldic motifs and the family coat of arms. Most of the 16 windows offer drop-down, decorated panels and shutters for privacy. The interior is upholstered in beige damask and the roof has decorative paint work, carved border mouldings and finials. The exterior houses two seats that would have been used for servants and courtiers.”