When we think of the estates of our erstwhile maharajas, we usually end up with visions of excess. Palatial mansions, ornate decor studded with precious stones, exquisite craftsmanship everywhere, and, often, a maximalist aesthetic bordering on the gaudy. And yet, opulence can take on many shapes and forms. A cursory glance through the collection of the royal palace of Indore, going up at Christie’s Paris auction this week, is enough to establish this point.
Commissioned by Maharaja Yeshwant Rao II Holkar (1908-61) for the Manik Bagh palace, the works on offer bear the signature of some of the greatest designers of the 20th century. Carpets with abstract patterns designed by French painter Ivan da Silva Bruhns, chairs in red upholstery created by German architect and interior designer Eckart Muthesius, and a functional, easygoing yet elegant bureau by French furniture designer Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann are among the 20-odd objects to go under the hammer.
