Howdah Collection

Delhi Durbar Elephants
State elephants of the Maharajah of Gwalior superbly decorated for the Delhi Durbar

TIPU SULTAN (1749?-1799)
TIPU SULTAN (TIPPU SAHIP) Sultan of Mysore Son of Hyder Ali - fought against Marathas - pictured here at Pollilur in 1780 defeating British under Baille

Indian Military Elephant
Elephant employed in war by Indians in ancient times : only his head and trunk are armoured, and he carries a howdah equivalent to a miniature fort

The Prince of Wales with the Maharajah of Gwalior during his Indian tour, 1921. The future King Edward VIII and his host ride in the howdah of a decorated elephant

King George V shooting Tigers in India from a howdah - 1911. Date: 1911

AMERICAN CIRCUS, c1874. The Grand Layout. Circus parade around tents with a crowd watching alongside a railroad train. American lithograph, c1874

Close quarters with a tiger 1889
An incident of the Duc D Orlenas recent hunting tour in India. Date: 1889

Native Princes Arriving in Camp for the Imperial Assemblage at Delhi, 1877
BAL67254 Native Princes Arriving in Camp for the Imperial Assemblage at Delhi, 1877 by Landseer, George (c.1834-78); Victoria & Albert Museum, London, UK; English, out of copyright

ELEPHANT & HOWDAH, 1851. Embroidered housings and trappings of the elephant and howdah exhibited by Queen Victoria of Great Britain at the Crystal Palace Exhibition of 1851

HYDER ALI (1722 - 1782)
HYDER ALI Pictured at the Battle of Pollilur - 10 September 1780 Increased Indian army with French aid - died leaving campaign to son Tippu Sahib

One of Hannibal's elephants, stone sculpture in the Parco dei Mostri (Monster Park)
SAL66111 One of Hannibal's elephants, stone sculpture in the Parco dei Mostri (Monster Park), gardens laid out between 1550-63 by the Duke of Orsini

Crossing a River in the Terai, 1876. Creator: C.R
Crossing a River in the Terai, 1876. The future King Edward VII hunting tigers in India....the elephant is very careful, feeling the ground with his trunk for the edge of the nullah

The Prince of Wales's Elephant charged by a Tiger, 1876. Creator: C.R
The Prince of Wales's Elephant charged by a Tiger, 1876. The future King Edward VII shoots tigers during a royal visit to India

Beating the Jungle for Tigers, 1876. Creator: Unknown
Beating the Jungle for Tigers, 1876. The future King Edward VII shoots tigers during a royal visit to India. The following telegram was published in London on Thursday: "Camp of Nepaul, Feb. 21

Entry of the Prince of Wales into a City of India, 1876. Creator: C.R
Entry of the Prince of Wales into a City of India, 1876. The future King Edward VII rides in a canopied howdah during a royal visit. A triumphal arch is inscribed: God Bless the Prince of Wales'

The Prince of Wales in the Nepaul Terai: Colonel Sir Arthur Ellis...with a Tiger...1876. Creator: Unknown
The Prince of Wales in the Nepaul Terai: Colonel Sir Arthur Ellis at close quarters with a Tiger, from a sketch by one of our special artists, 1876....the tiger sprang out

The Prince of Wales Tiger-Shooting with Sir Jung Bahadoor: the Critical Moment...1876. Creator: Unknown
The Prince of Wales Tiger-Shooting with Sir Jung Bahadoor: the Critical Moment, from a sketch by one of our special artists, 1876

The Royal Visit to India: the Prince of Wales mounting his elephant...1876. Creator: C.R
The Royal Visit to India: the Prince of Wales mounting his elephant at the Old Palace of Lushkur, Gwalior, from a sketch by one of our special artists, 1876

The Prince of Wales in the Terai: crossing a Nullah in the Jungle...1876. Creator: W. J. P
The Prince of Wales in the Terai: crossing a Nullah in the Jungle, facsimile of a sketch by one of our special artists, 1876

The Prince of Wales in the Terai: Shooting a Bear...1876. Creator: Unknown
The Prince of Wales in the Terai: Shooting a Bear, from a sketch by one of our special artists, 1876. The future King Edward VII in India

Elephant with Riders, n.d. Creator: Auguste-Andre Lancon
Elephant with Riders, n.d

Elephant with Riders in Jardin des Plantes, Paris, n.d. Creator: Auguste-Andre Lancon
Elephant with Riders in Jardin des Plantes, Paris, n.d

Harbee Nawab and Attendants - Elephant Prince; Bullock Cart for Removing Luggage, 1857. Creator: Unknown
Harbee Nawab and Attendants - Elephant Prince; Bullock Cart for Removing Luggage, 1857. The state of a native Prince, on his elephant, has been often described

Searching for Rebel Santhals, 1856. Creator: Unknown
Searching for Rebel Santhals, 1856. In the Sketch representing the searching for Santhal rebels is a very fine elephant, the property of Mr

King George V Shooting Tigers in Nepal, 1911 (b/w photo)
JHL440608 King George V Shooting Tigers in Nepal, 1911 (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Visit of the Prince of Wales to India, 1876: The Princes Elephant charged by a Tiger in the Nepal Terai, February 21, (1901)

Triumph of Heraclius at Constantinople, (629AD), 1890. Creator: Unknown
Triumph of Heraclius at Constantinople, (629AD) 1890. Heraclius (c575-641) Emperor of the Byzantine Empire from 610 to 641 entered Constantinople in ceremonial parade in 629AD during the Sasanian

British Officers tiger shooting in India, 1860s (colour litho)
PNP310574 British Officers tiger shooting in India, 1860s (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; Peter Newark Military Pictures

Cavalcade Setting Out on a Tiger-Hunt, c1891. Creator: James Grant
Cavalcade Setting Out on a Tiger-Hunt, c1891. From " Cassells Illustrated History of India Vol. II.", by James Grant. [Cassell Petter & Galpin, London, Paris and New York]

Flight of Europeans from the Mutineers, c1891. Creator: James Grant
Flight of Europeans from the Mutineers, c1891. From " Cassells Illustrated History of India Vol. II.", by James Grant. [Cassell Petter & Galpin, London, Paris and New York]

Elephant Equipped for Battle, with Armou, Howdah, Etc. c1891. Creator: James Grant
Elephant Equipped for Battle, with Armou, Howdah, Etc. c1891. From " Cassells Illustrated History of India Vol. I.", by James Grant. [Cassell Petter & Galpin, London, Paris and New York]

The Rout at Eroor, c1891. Creator: James Grant
The Rout at Eroor, c1891. From " Cassells Illustrated History of India Vol. I.", by James Grant. [Cassell Petter & Galpin, London, Paris and New York]

Imperial Procession (colour litho)
STC133213 Imperial Procession (colour litho) by Barbier, Georges (1882-1932); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection

La Belle Missous from Personages de Comedie, pub. 1922 (pochoir print)
2966858 La Belle Missous from Personages de Comedie, pub. 1922 (pochoir print) by Barbier, Georges (1882-1932); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection

The Elephants in the Jardin d Acclimatation, 1901 (oil on canvas)
XIR222257 The Elephants in the Jardin d Acclimatation, 1901 (oil on canvas) by Dupuy, Paul Michel (1869-1949); 220x250 cm; Musee des Beaux-Arts, Pau, France

Elephant, illustration from Pads, Paws and Claws by P. Pycraft, 1924 (colour litho)
IL314900 Elephant, illustration from Pads, Paws and Claws by P. Pycraft, 1924 (colour litho) by Noble, John Edwin (1876-1941); Private Collection

Four Princes in Procession Visit a Sage, page from a copy of the Ramayana, 1820 / 40
Four Princes in Procession Visit a Sage, page from a copy of the Ramayana, 1820/40

Angel (Peri) Riding a Composite Camel, c. 1700. Creator: Unknown
Angel (Peri) Riding a Composite Camel, c. 1700

Great Exhibition, 1851: India no. 4 for Dickinson Bros. (litho)
GHL12651 Great Exhibition, 1851: India no. 4 for Dickinson Bros. (litho) by Nash, Joseph (1809-78) (after); London Metropolitan Archives, City of London; eLondon Metropolitan Archives; English

The Rajahs Favourite, 1884-89 (oil on canvas)
989571 The Rajahs Favourite, 1884-89 (oil on canvas) by Weeks, Edwin Lord (1849-1903); 100.5x80 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: The Rajahs Favourite. Edwin Lord Weeks (1849-1903). Oil on canvas

The East India Companys Museum, Memorials of Tippoo Saib (engraving)
1097101 The East India Companys Museum, Memorials of Tippoo Saib (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The East India Companys Museum)

Rama and Lakshman in the howdah of a white elephant with Hanuman as mahout
874480 Rama and Lakshman in the howdah of a white elephant with Hanuman as mahout, late 18th century (opaque w/c on paper) by Indian School, (18th century); 43 x33.2 cm; San Diego Museum of Art

King George tiger hunting in Nepal (b / w photo)
STC444591 King George tiger hunting in Nepal (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: King George V (1865-1936); ); The Stapleton Collection; English

Persian War Elephant in Battle, 1889 (engraving)
2629971 Persian War Elephant in Battle, 1889 (engraving) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; Photo eGraphicaArtis; American, out of copyright

Royal elephants with ornate howdahs, India, c. 1870
Royal elephants with ornate howdahs, India, c.1870

Travellers riding elephants in India, c. 1900
Vintage 19th century photograph - tourists, travellers riding elephants in India, c.1900

State Elephant of Baroda, India
19th century vintage photograph: State Elephant of Baroda, India

Man and woman of Persia, 1818. The man wears a turban, cloack, tunic, harem pants and scimitar, the woman wears a turban with veil, cloak and dress

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Howdah: A Majestic Seat of Power and Adventure" The magnificent city of Delhi came alive during the grand Durbar celebrations, where majestic elephants adorned with intricately designed howdahs paraded through the streets. These regal creatures were a symbol of power and prestige, carrying kings and emperors to their coronations. One such ruler who embraced the splendor of a howdah was Tipu Sultan, known for his valiant resistance against British rule. His Indian military elephant proudly displayed an opulent howdah as it marched alongside its master in battle. In 1921, during his momentous tour of India, the Prince of Wales shared a memorable encounter with Maharajah Scindia of Gwalior while seated atop a resplendent howdah. This meeting showcased the fusion of royal traditions and colonial influence. Even King George V himself experienced thrilling adventures from within a howdah when he embarked on tiger hunts across India's untamed wilderness. Armed with courage and precision, he aimed to protect both his subjects and preserve wildlife. Across continents, even American circuses featured elaborate processions around tents accompanied by railroad trains. The sight captivated audiences as they witnessed performers perched upon towering elephants wearing ornate howdahs. However, not all encounters were purely celebratory; some were daring battles between man and beast. In 1889, one brave soul found themselves in close quarters with a fearsome tiger while perched upon a sturdy howdah – an adrenaline-fueled struggle that exemplified human resilience against nature's might. During the Imperial Assemblage at Delhi in 1877, native princes arrived in camp aboard lavishly decorated elephants bearing exquisite embroidered housings and trappings on their majestic howdahs. These displays represented their status as esteemed rulers within their realms. The Crystal Palace Exhibition held in London in 1851 showcased Queen Victoria's fascination with the Indian subcontinent.