A 19th century illuminated three page letter from the Mahárájá of Benares Ishwari Prasad Narayan...

A 19th century illuminated three page letter from the Mahárájá of Benares Ishwari Prasad Narayan Singh to the Prince of Wales, congratulating his Royal Highness on his marriage to her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra of Denmark, handwritten within bands of gilt and painted scrolling foliage, the first letter painted a pair of peacocks, above printed gilt leaf scrolls with exotic bird vignettes, the first page reads: 'May it please your Gracious Majesty, I the humble Mahárájá of Benares, beg most respectfully to tender to Your Gracious Majesty my most loyal congratulations on the auspicious marriage of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales to Her Royal Highness the Princess Alexandra of Denmark. Far removed as we are from Your...', mounted and glazed within a hinged part double sided gilt frame, 17½ x 12½in (44.5 x 31.7cm).

Sold on behalf of the executors of The Hon. Mary Anna Marten dec'd, of Crichel House, Dorset.