The pieces, which had been in trust since Lord Hailey’s death in 1969, were led by the remarkable silver model of a dam shown right. The silver was dated London 1925 which appears to be when the dam was started and the 10in (25cm) high model was presented on completion 11 years later with an inscribed plaque, His Excellency Sir William Hailey, Governor of the Punjab on the occasion of the Sulemanke Headworks, 12 April 1936. It sold to a Northern collector at £1400. Another memento, an early 20th century hardwood casket, 5in by 15in by 5in (13 x 38 x 13cm) set with eight gilt metal framed ivory plaques of Indian scenes presented to Sir William in 1926, made £720.
The best price of the day came from a different local source – a 5ft 8in (1.73m) mahogany dower chest with a floral carved border to the lid over four short drawers and four dummy drawers, carved with foliage and swags, which made £2700.
Buckinghamshire mementos of the Raj
MEMORIES of the Raj were the selling point at the collectors’ sale held at Amersham Auction Rooms (15% buyer’s premium) on July 5 which included pieces acquired by Lord William Hailey during his Governorship of the Punjab during the 1920s.
