Tipu's Tigers

Tipu s Tiger is one of the Victoria and Albert Museum's most enduringly famous and fascinating objects. It was made for Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore who was killed by the British in 1799 during the final onslaught on his island capital, Seringapatam. After the victory, his treasury was seized and its precious contents rapidly divided between the soldiers of the East India Company army. The spectacular wooden tiger survived, however. Discovered in the music room of the palace, it was shipped to the company's new museum in London in 1800. This accessible and beautiful book tells the story of the tiger's travels from India to the V&A, showing how it has inspired artists and authors, and frightened or entertained the public since its first appearance in England. It also discusses the intriguing meanings of the many tiger motifs on Tipu Sultan's personal commissions, from his jewelled golden throne and idiosyncratic weapons to the emblematic wooden semi-automaton.