PATIALA. Portrait of the Maharaja with two aides de camp, on the reverse Lord Curzon

An interesting group portrait of The Maharaja Rajinder Singh of Patiala with two officers, from their aiguillettes possibly aides de camp . This image is 7¾ x 5¾ ins and a damp stain affects the top left corner. The distinctive features of the Maharaja’s dress uniform are the increased gold lace to the sleeves rising above the elbow, the waist sash of general officer’s style, the jodhpurs and the Hessian style boots.

On the reverse of this card is a full length portrait, 7¼ x 5½ ins [187 x 140mm], of Lord Curzon in uniform at the 1903 Delhi Durbar. This appears to be the same image as is attributed to Bourne & Shepherd and usually found in a larger size. It was taken at the time of the 1903 Delhi Durbar [we have had a presentation copy signed and dated by Curzon] and he appears in the very distinctive mantle of Grand Master of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India which differs from those of Grand Commanders by having multiple repetition of the order’s badge.  oct22/3