Height: 20cm (8in)
Bronze. Miniature bust of a Madras Sapper, or Thambi, wearing the famous ‘Doopta’ headdress - adopted after the Battle of Meanee (1843) when the Sappers joined an infantry bayonet charge and that so impressed the infantrymen that they gave them their shakoes. Mounted on a stepped plinth applied with Bangalore plaque. Height of bust: 9cm (3.5in).