When Worlds Collide - A Great Story

As you all know we love finding pieces with a story and this is one, we just couldn't wait to share. The photo on my right is of an Indian sterling silver frame by Hamilton & Co., c.1945-50, however the interesting thing is, who the photograph is of. Introducing the Maharaja Harinder Singh Brar of Faridkot who ruled over the region between 1918-1947 across the time of both World Wars.

Now you may notice the two envelopes in the photo, these were signed cards sent to the original owner of this silver photo frame, Lieutenant General Sir Iven Gillard & Lady Mackay.

Lt Gen Mackay was a senior Australian army officer who served in both World Wars. He was originally a physics tutor teaching at the University of Sydney from 1910 until the First World War broke out and he joined the Australian Imperial Force shortly after. Due his tenure he served in the 4th Infantry Battalion at Gallipoli and then moved to the Western Front and later being promoted to Brigadier General in 1918 and led the 1st Infantry Brigade in numerous battles and in the attack on the Hindenburg Line. After the war Mackay continued his studies and became Headmaster at Cranbrook School, Sydney between 1933-1939 until the time of the Second World War broke out where he was now Major General and led the 6th Division in to the Western Desert Campaign, and later in the Battle of Greece where he was the only Australian general to face the Waffen-SS in battle. In 1942 he assumed command of the Second Army where he led the New Guinea fighting campaign. After his active duties had ended he was recognised and appointed as High Commissioner to India in November 1943 where he met the Raja of Faridkot. Mackay's papers and portraits are held in the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

After doing some further research, the Raja of Faridkot passed in 1989 and as one of the remaining independent states of India his will has been highly contested in a 20 year legal battle which his two remaining daughters have just won their share of over 4 billion dollars!

Come in store and check the frame and signed letters to Lt Gen Mackay from the Raja of Faridkot. We look forward to seeing you soon and as we said we love a good story.

Indian sterling silver frame by Hamilton & Co, c.1945-50 - $2,200

Official 1919 portrait of Iven Mackay by John Longstaff