Art & Heritage

The world we come from

Paintings, photographs, manuscripts, and jewellery from the courts and streets of the Punjab — a glimpse of the world our families carry with them.

The Court of Lahore — oil painting by August Schoefft showing a crowded royal court scene
The Court of Lahore, August Schoefft, painted in Vienna c. 1850–55 after drawings made at Lahore, c. 1841. Artist: August Schoefft
The Lahore Durbar of Maharaja Ranjit Singh — court gathering beneath arched pavilions
The Lahore Durbar of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, after August Schoefft, 19th century. Artist: August Schoefft
Maharaja Ranjit Singh at the Darbar Sahib in Amritsar — panoramic painting with the Golden Temple beside the sacred pool
Maharaja Ranjit Singh at the Darbar Sahib, August Schoefft, c. 1850–55, after a sketch made in Amritsar in 1841. Artist: August Schoefft
Panoramic watercolour of the Lahore Fort with labels in English and Persian, elephants in the foreground
Panoramic view of the Lahore Fort and royal residence, Punjab, 19th century. Courtesy of the Toor Collection of Sikh Art · Davinder S. Toor
A Sikh court scene — finely detailed painting of a darbar gathering on a blue carpet before an ornate facade
A Sikh court scene, Punjab, 19th century. Courtesy of the Toor Collection of Sikh Art · Davinder S. Toor
Maharaja Ranjit Singh seated in an ornate red and gold chair, with a young attendant beside him
Maharaja Ranjit Singh seated, with an attendant at his side, 19th century. Courtesy of the Toor Collection of Sikh Art · Davinder S. Toor
Watercolour of a seated maharaja in an embroidered robe with two attendants
A maharaja seated with attendants, watercolour, 19th century. Courtesy of the Toor Collection of Sikh Art · Davinder S. Toor
19th-century photograph of an Akali-Nihang warrior wearing a towering turban with steel quoits
Portrait of an Akali-Nihang warrior, 19th-century photograph. Courtesy of the Toor Collection of Sikh Art · Davinder S. Toor
Richly illuminated manuscript with gilded borders and fine calligraphy, open across two pages
An illuminated manuscript with gilded borders, 19th century. Courtesy of the Toor Collection of Sikh Art · Davinder S. Toor
Pair of gold earrings in a fitted case inscribed to the collection of the Court of Lahore and Maharani Jind Kaur
Gold earrings from the Court of Lahore, their fitted case inscribed to Maharani Jind Kaur. Courtesy of the Toor Collection of Sikh Art · Davinder S. Toor
Pair of gold jhumka earrings with floral tops, hung with pearls
Gold jhumka earrings hung with pearls, Punjab. Courtesy of the Toor Collection of Sikh Art · Davinder S. Toor

With thanks to the Toor Collection of Sikh Art and Davinder S. Toor. All works remain the property of their respective owners.