A half length portrait on ivory of Tipu Sultan (r.1782-1799) Sultan of Mysore, gouache on ivory, Tipu Sultan is depicted wearing a turban set with a jewelled aigrette held in place by a string of large pearls, with a necklace of large pearls, emeralds and rubies and wearing a striped jama, his belt is of twisted fabric and has a gold-hilted sword tucked into it, within a gilt frame, portrait 9cm. x 6cm. Tipu Sultan or Tipu Sahib was born in Devanhalli on 20th November 1750 to Haider 'Ali (1721-82) and his second wife Fatima, or Fakr-un-Nissa. Haider 'Ali was a soldier, who had risen through the ranks of the Mysore army to the point where he was able to establish himself as de facto ruler, usurping the brothers Nanjaraj and Devraj in 1752. In 1782 Tipu succeeded his father as Sultan of Mysore, which was the strongest, the best governed and the most prosperous state in India. Tipu, who famously uttered: "I would rather live a day as a tiger than a lifetime as a sheep" adopted the royal tiger as his personal emblem. He was a fierce and innovative leader. He tried to import European industrial technology through French engineers and experimented with harnessing water-power to drive his industrial machinery. French artisans were welcomed to Seringapatam, where they taught the craftsmen of Mysore the secrets of printing and of manufacturing porcelain, glass and watches, as well as the art of tapestry weaving. Tipu sent envoys to southern China to bring back silkworm eggs and established sericulture in Mysore, an innovation of his that still enriches the region today. Tipu Sultan was also the East India Company's most tenacious enemy. The Company badly wanted to take over Mysore and to seize its considerable mineral riches. Following numerous battles, the famous siege of Serigapatam took place in February 1799 and Tipu Sultan was killed on the battlefield by British troupes. The Prize Agents were staggered by what they found in Tipu's treasury: gold, jewellery, arms and armour, palanquins, furniture and the finest cloths. Please refer to department for condition report