A 1 metre, 38 cm tall bust of Punjab's Maharaja Ranjit Singh is on sale in London; it has been priced between £50,000 and £70,000. The famous king of Punjab owned many precious treasures including of the priceless Kohinoor diamond. The new auction of his bust is attracting worldwide interest in an international auction in London.

 

The sculpture is made of white marble; will be auctioned on October 9, at the Bonhams Indian and Islamic sale. According to Clare Penhallurick, (Head of Indian and Islamic Art at Bonhams) the auction is not unprecedented. Last year Ranjit Singh's son, Duleep Singh's bust was sold for £1.7m. The famous sale of the Shah Jahan's dagger and the inscribed spinal of Shah Jahan etc are some major auctions that took place at the center.

 

Factually, Bonhams Indian and Islamic sale takes place twice in a year, i. e. April and December. In the sale a range of Islamic and Indian art including pottery, metalwork and glass, ivory, jewelry and stonework are sold. Other than these, the sale of arms and armor, furniture and decorative items too are sold. The prices in auction have risen up overtime and big NRIs and businessmen only buy these products.