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Inscribed below image in pen and black ink: "Front view of the | THRONE | of the late Tippoo Sultaun | in the Laul Mahaul ( Palace ) of Seringapatam. | The solid part of the Throne is made of heavy Black wood, over which | is nailed on a coat of the purest gold about as thick as a guinea; | the workmanship, especially of the indented Tyger stripes is very | beautiful & highly polished. The Tygers' front is only seen in the above | but his rear & tail reach to the back part of the throne, at the two | ends are little golden steps to mount by, at each side of which is at the | four principal corners are small tygers' heads. The length is about | 8 feet & breadth about 5. The Canopy is made of a lighter wood | covered with gold inside & out, the same as the body of the throne. | The fringe is entirely made of small pearls & on the top is a Bird | representing the Hummah, ( a fabulous royal bird ) which is com | posed entirely of Diamonds, Rubies & Emeralds. Its body is about | the size of a Partridge but its tail - longer & broader than that of a | Pheasant; its beak consists of one large beautiful emerald with | another suspended thereto. The Canopy is supported by a strong | iron bar gracefully curved & gilded. In the rear of the throne is | seen the door & two grated windows of the room in which Tippoo | Sultaun always slept, it has no other entrance or windows, the [continued on verso] latter are made of strong bars of iron & the door of thick wood. | This cot, with silver legs about six inches long was slung by the | Four Corners to the ceiling of the roof, but only about ten inches from | the ground, to prevent snakes & vermin from getting upon it. | Throughout the whole of the Palace / which is painted as above, green | with tyger stripes / are written near the ceiling Persian or Arabic verses | importing the grandeur & magnificience of the prince, such for | instance as 'The Lion or Leo was the planet of this Lord of Strength' | 'The Hero at his birth received honour from being in the sign Aries' | 'He thereby united & gained knowledge, learning science & strength at the same instant.' | JB The throne being broken up by the Prize Agents the above | mentioned bed has been sent as a present to her Majesty by the | Rt. Honble. the Earl of Mornington Gov Gent. &c. | Copied from a drawing taken by | Thos. Marriott Esqr. ADC to the Comder. in chief | Madrass Augst. 6th 1799"