Two enamel portraits, depicting Maharaja Pratap Singh of Idar and Nawab Muhammad Aslam Khan, signed by Raoul Hideux, Paris, early 20th century

The enamel portrait of Maharaja Pratap Singh of Idar is probably copied from a photograph taken of him by Vernon & Co. of Bombay in 1914 on the occasion of the Viceroy's visit to Jodhpur (see Elgood 2017, p.81, pl.1.14). Sir Pratap Singh was the third son of Sir Takhat Singh, Maharaja of Jodhpur. He was a brave solider, a fine administrator and a brilliant polo player. He served as Prime Minster after his brother became Maharaja in 1878 and was Regent of the Marwar state three times. He was received by Queen Victoria in 1887 and 1897 on the occasion of her Golden and Diamond Jubilee and was aide-de-camp to Edward VII, Prince of Wales. At the end of 1914 he offered his services and that of his state to the King and arrived in France with his Jodhpur Lancers to serve in the Great War. Sir Pratap and his Lancers spent most of the war in France where they earned the nickname 'Jo Hukum' or 'Will do', a reflection of their Marwari response to an order (ibid, p.80). 

The second portrait is of Colonel Nawab Muhammad Aslam Khan, Sardar-Bahadur, KCIE, KCVO, A.D.C to King Edward VII and King George V. He was given the title of Sardar Bahadur during the Second Anglo-Afghan War and the personal title of Nawab in 1887 and was the most distinguished personality of Peshawar in his time. 

For further discussion on Raoul Hideux and two further portraits of princely rulers by him, see lot 140 in the present sale.