Title
Plaque with emblem of Wajid 'Ali Shah
Year/Period
19th century
Region
India, Lucknow
Object Type
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: 3.0 x 36.0 x 42.0 cm
Accession No.
2020-00449
Collection of
The plaque is ornamented with the emblem of the Nawab of Oudh, Wajid Ali Shah (r. 1847-1856). Elements include a crown sheltered by an umbrella, upon which perches a bird looking down and at the forefront of the podium, lies a buckler, as well as two swords. The most striking motifs are what appears to be two mermaids holding fans. The mermaid motif is thought to be adaptations of the twin fish motif, arranged with heads facing each other, which were used in all of Lucknow’s imperial crafts.
