A rare wool turban once gifted by Maharajah Ranjit Singh (reigned 1801 – 1839), the fabled “Lion of Punjab,” has sold for £165,500 (including premium) at Bonhams’ Islamic and Indian Art sale in London on 12 November 2025.
A Gift of Diplomacy
The early-19th-century turban was originally presented by Maharajah Ranjit Singh to Charles Theophilus Metcalfe (1785 – 1846), a young British envoy who travelled to Lahore to negotiate with the Sikh ruler. This elegant wool headpiece symbolised respect and formal recognition between the Sikh Empire and the British administration — a tangible mark of diplomacy during a transformative period in Indian history.
The piece comes from the celebrated Metcalfe/Ricketts family collection, informally known as “Grandfather’s Cabinet,” which preserves artefacts linked to Britain’s early encounters with India.
Historic Provenance
The turban dates to around the time of the Treaty of Amritsar (25 April 1809), when Britain formally recognised Ranjit Singh’s sovereignty west of the Sutlej River — cementing diplomatic relations between the two powers. Handed down through generations of the Metcalfe family, the turban has remained exceptionally well-preserved, its lineage meticulously documented.
Cultural and Market Significance
This remarkable sale underscores the enduring fascination with objects tied to Ranjit Singh’s reign and the wider Sikh Empire. Collectors prize such artefacts for their:
- Historical importance – A direct gift from a powerful Indian ruler to a senior British diplomat.
- Rarity – Very few textiles from Ranjit Singh’s court survive with such clear provenance.
- Cultural resonance – The Sikh Empire’s craftsmanship and political influence continue to captivate historians and collectors alike.
Auction Highlights
Bonhams’ Islamic and Indian Art sales have long featured treasures from South Asia, and this turban’s result of £165,500 (inclusive of premium) places it among the top-selling items associated with Ranjit Singh. It follows in the footsteps of other notable results — such as an embroidered quiver and a bronze bust linked to the Maharajah — both of which achieved six-figure sums in previous years.
“This sale once again highlights the global importance of Maharajah Ranjit Singh and the Sikh Empire,” said Gurinder Singh Mann, Sikh historian and director of the Sikh Museum Initiative. “Objects like this turban are not just symbols of personal diplomacy, but living witnesses to the power, prestige, and artistry of the Sikh Court in Lahore.”
Legacy
The sale not only reflects the strength of the market for Sikh Empire artefacts but also revives the story of a unique diplomatic relationship between East and West. Ranjit Singh’s gift to Metcalfe — once a gesture of respect between statesmen — now stands as a powerful relic of cross-cultural exchange, history, and identity.