10 Treasures in the Salarjung Museum

Take a trip back in time. Nestled on the southern bank of the river Musi, the sprawling campus of the Salar Jung Museum houses the largest art collection of a single man- Nawab Mir Yusuf Ali Khan- famously known as the Salarjung III. The museum satiates the curiosity of a visitor by taking him through the culture, art and styles of Asian, European, Middle and Far Eastern countries. It is a one-stop shop of art manifested in all possible ways. Sculptures, paintings, carvings, textiles, manuscripts, ceramics, metallic artefacts, carpets, clocks, and furniture in various styles and forms are housed at the museum.

One of the largest museums in the world, you can be sure of coming out of it brimming with tales of the past. Among the precious artefacts at the museum, some specifically stand out for their historical importance and outstanding artistic exemplance. Have a look at our list of those and make sure that you get a glimpse of them when you visit.

1. Veiled Rebecca- The Veiled Rebecca is an enchanting marble statue acquired  from Rome in 1876. The statue is depicts Rebecca, the bride-to-be of Isaac son of Abraham, on the day of her wedding. The transparent veil effect has led to this sculpture being called a ‘melody in marble’.

2. Jehangir and Noor Jehan’s Jade belongings- A dagger and a fruit knife made in jade and decorated with precious stones are said to belong to Jehangir and Noorjehan, two of the most renowned Mughal rulers of India.

3. Tipu’s Ivory Furniture- The Lion of Mysore, Tipu Sultan was gifted a set of  beautifully crafted ivory chairs by Louis XVI of France.

4. Bronze Nataraja Statue- A big size Nataraja depicts Lord Siva performing Ananda Tandava symbolizing five features of the Lord i.e., creation, preservation, destruction, salvation and omnipotence.

5. Kalamkari Collection- Kalamkari textile art is an artform that was patronized and encouraged by the rulers of Hyderabad. In this artform, artistic designs depicting religious scenes or ethnic motifs are block or handprinted onto textiles. The collection depicts the evolution and types of Kalamkari art.

6. Ravi Varma Paintings- Raja Ravi Varma is one of the most influential painters in Indian history. In the late nineteenth century, his fusion of Western and Indian aesthetics heralded a new style of art. “The Kerala Beauty” and “Stolen Interview” two of his most celebrated paintings are on display at the Museum.

7. Musical Clock- Built in a time when cuckoo clocks were all the rage, the British Bracket clock still attracts a large number of visitors every day. A miniature toy figure comes out of the clock’s enclosure and strikes the gong at each hour. If you have young children or just want to entertain the child within you, this is a must see.

8. Mephistopheles and Margaretta Statue-  The Salarjung Museum offers an amazing introduction to contemporary European art. One of the most popular european attractions is the statur of Mephistopheles and Margaretta. Inspired by Goethe’s play ‘Dr. Faust’, a single piece of wood is used to depict good and evil with a sculpture that shows different figures when seen from front or back.

9. Samurai Arms- Samurai swords with ivory sheaths such as the Katana (large sword),  Wakizash (small sword) and Kodzaka ( a small knife used as a missile weapon) fitted into the sheath of a large sword.

10. Canaletto’s Oil Painting- The Museum’s fine collection of European paintings goes across artists and styles. “Piazza San Marco” by Canaletto is one such painting on display, combining beautiful architecture, natural scenery and excellent perspective.