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Detail from a map of India and the Middle East, showing the route of the Prince of Wales' tour
The Prince of Wales's Tour of India in 1875-6

Albert Edward's tour aimed to strengthen ties between the two countries

INDIAN

Pair of rosewater sprinklers

c.1870-75

RCIN 11475

The rosewater sprinklers in the form of cranes with fish in their beaks were presented by the Maharao of Cutch. The iconography of the sprinklers is inspired by a tale of two twelfth-century craftsmen invited to compete at the court of Anilpur Patan. One craftsman produced a fish out of gold that could float and swim in water while his competitor made a crane that pecked at the fish, causing it to drown. Although the latter craftsman was declared the winner, he later incurred the wrath of the ruler of Anilpur and was banished from the region. He settled in Cutch, where the tale inspired future metalworkers.


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