An Indian ivory-inlaid writing box gifted to Jane Austen’s brother will be included in Bonhams’ Islamic and Indian art sale on October 23 in New Bond Street.
Passed down by descent through the author’s family, it was reputedly gifted in the early 19th century by Warren Hastings (1732-1818), the governor-general of India famously accused of corruption and impeached in 1788, before being acquitted several years later.
The Austen family was close to Hastings, and it is likely that he was influential in obtaining Austen’s brother, Francis William Austen, his first appointment aboard HMS Perseverance on the East Indies Station.The 23 x 17in (59 x 43cm) box dates to c.1750 and comes from Vizagapatam in south India.