The prestigious auction house Mullock's of the United Kingdom is set to sell the ring box that once belonged to the Maharaja of Mysore Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV (1884 - 1940).

The old ring box that is leather-bound is from a leading London jeweller dating from around 1910 - 1920. Marked by appointment to the Maharaja of Mysore, it is expected to fetch 200 - 300 GBP (1 British Pound Sterling = Rs. 84.23 in today's rate).

At the time of his death, the king was also one of the world's wealthiest men, with a personal fortune estimated in 1940 to be worth $400 million which would be equivalent to $56 billion in today's prices.

During his reign, he worked towards alleviating poverty and improving rural reconstruction, public health, industry and economic regeneration, education and the fine arts. Such were the strides that Mysore made during his period that Gandhiji was moved to remark that the Maharaja was a Rajarishi (a saintly king).

Other notable pieces include an early lithograph dated 1804 of Tipu Sultan's Palace in Mysore, also expected to sell for 200 - 300 GBP and a host of Mahatma Gandhi belongings.

Mullocks Expert Richard West-Wood Brookes said, "We are pleased to be auctioning these highly significant pieces of Mysore history, not to mention an array of Indian pieces throughout the sale."

The sale takes place on May 21 at Mullock's Auction House in UK, according to SOM reader Rahul Sharma.

Courtesy : Star Of Mysore