Unusual Artifacts: “Tippoo’s Tiger,” c. 1790

Tippoo's Tiger
1790
Victoria & Albert Museum

This magnificent object is really more of a musical instrument than it is a toy.  Well, to be honest, it’s more of a curiosity than anything else.  Indian in origin with distinctly European working parts,Tippoo’s Tiger (also known as Tipu's Tiger) is a magnificent life-sized animated sculpture of a tiger devouring a man in a 1790’s style costume. Within the tiger’s body, an organ is operated by turning a handle.  This organ—by means of a system of bellows—produced the growls of the tiger and the anguished cries of his victim. Another miniature organ—also built into the tiger’s body—features 18 pipes which can be played by means of ivory keys and stops set into the tiger’s side.  This really is a peculiar thing.  However, it’s also quite spectacular.  When it came to England in 1808, it was the talk of London society.  On display for many years at the East India Company’s Museum, it eventually reverted to the Crown and is now displayed at the Victoria &Albert Museum.

Toys of the Belle Époque: “Tippoo’s Tiger,” c. 1790

Tippoo's Tiger
1790
Victoria & Albert Museum

This magnificent object is really more of a musical instrument than it is a toy.  Well, to be honest, it’s more of a curiosity than anything else.  Indian in origin with distinctly European working parts, Tippoo’s Tiger (also known as Tipu's Tiger) is a magnificent life-sized animated sculpture of a tiger devouring a man in a 1790’s style costume.  Within the tiger’s body, an organ is operated by turning a handle.  This organ—by means of a system of bellows—produced the growls of the tiger and the anguished cries of his victim.  Another miniature organ—also built into the tiger’s body—features 18 pipes which can be played by means of ivory keys and stops set into the tiger’s side.  This really is a peculiar thing.  However, it’s also quite spectacular.  When it came to England in 1808, it was the talk of London society.  On display for many years at the East India Company’s Museum, it eventually reverted to the Crown and is now displayed at the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Figure of the Day: The Death of Munrow, 1830

The Death of Munrow
Staffordshire, 1830
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Though rather naïve in its modeling, this ceramic sculpture depicts a serious subject--the death of Lieutenant Hugh Monro (Munrow), a young British army officer serving in India, who was mauled by a tiger while picnicking on a hunting trip in 1792. 
Monro's gruesome death is thought to have been the inspiration for the creation of the automaton and mechanical organ called “Tippoo's Tiger” which is one of the V&A's most popular exhibits.  “Tippoo's Tiger” was created for the Indian ruler Tipu Sultan, who was said to have loathed the British so deeply that he commissioned the piece showing the dominance of India over Britain. 
This ceramic Staffordshire group from 1830 mirrors the design of the famed automaton, causing one to conclude that the modeler must have seen images of Tippoos Tiger which was a popular theme for engravings.  


Here, Monro reclines at the feet of the tiger, wholly unaware of his fate.  Monro was  molded from a model for a standing figure of a military hero.  The piece is brightly enameled and labeled as, “THE DEATH OF MUNROW.”  

Sculpture of the Day: The Death of Munrow, 1830

The Victoria & Albert Museum

Though rather naïve in its modeling, this ceramic sculpture depicts a serious subject--the death of Lieutenant Hugh Monro (Munrow), a young British army officer serving in India, who was mauled by a tiger while picnicking on a hunting trip in 1792.


Monro's gruesome death is thought to have been the inspiration for the creation of the automaton and mechanical organ called “Tippoo's Tiger” which is one of the V&A's most popular exhibits.  “Tippoo's Tiger” was created for the Indian ruler Tipu Sultan, who was said to have loathed the British so deeply that he commissioned the piece showing the dominance of India over Britain. 

This ceramic Staffordshire group from 1830 mirrors the design of the famed automaton, causing one to conclude that the modeler must have seen images of Tippoos Tiger which was a popular theme for engravings. 


Here, Monro reclines at the feet of the tiger, wholly unaware of his fate.  Monro was  molded from a model for a standing figure of a military hero.  The piece is brightly enameled and labeled as, “THE DEATH OF MUNROW.” 

Figure of the Day: The Death of Munrow, 1830

The Death of Munrow
Staffordshire, 1830
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Though rather naïve in its modeling, this ceramic sculpture depicts a serious subject--the death of Lieutenant Hugh Monro (Munrow), a young British army officer serving in India, who was mauled by a tiger while picnicking on a hunting trip in 1792. 


Monro's gruesome death is thought to have been the inspiration for the creation of the automaton and mechanical organ called “Tippoo's Tiger” which is one of the V&A's most popular exhibits.  “Tippoo's Tiger” was created for the Indian ruler Tipu Sultan, who was said to have loathed the British so deeply that he commissioned the piece showing the dominance of India over Britain. 

This ceramic Staffordshire group from 1830 mirrors the design of the famed automaton, causing one to conclude that the modeler must have seen images of Tippoos Tiger which was a popular theme for engravings.  


Here, Monro reclines at the feet of the tiger, wholly unaware of his fate.  Monro was  molded from a model for a standing figure of a military hero.  The piece is brightly enameled and labeled as, “THE DEATH OF MUNROW.”