Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) - a pair of mid-20th century c194...

Estimate

£5,000 - £10,000

Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) - a pair of mid-20th century c1940s gold plated and faux tortoise shell Windsor style circular rimmed spectacles, by repute owned and worn by Mahatma Gandhi, during a visit to Calcutta (Kolkata) c1947, whilst visiting his friend and fellow freedom-fighter Satish Chandra Roy. Gold plated, with sprung round-ear arms, the glass lenses united by a shaped bridge section. Housed within their original sprung metal and paper covered case, carrying the address of the Calcutta Optical Co, 45 Amherst Street, Calcutta. No maker's marks present on the glasses and the lenses being simple (non-reading) prescription lenses. Supplied with a full and detailed letter of provenance from the vendor.

Spectacles formed an important and iconic part of Gandhi's overall appearance. It was well known that he would often give away his old or unwanted pairs to those in need or those who had helped him, or cared for him in some way. An abundance of spectacles were always on hand for him - opticians would readily make Gandhi spectacles whenever required, very often without charge. A rare and historically important lot.

Provenance; these spectacles were once owned by Satish Chandra Roy - Indian politician and freedom fighter. Several documented meetings between Gandhi and Satish Chandra Roy are known. Mahatma Gandhi stayed with Satish Chandra Roy on several occasions at his home in Calcutta and later again in Bangladesh. Whilst staying with Satish Chandra Roy, Gandhi carried out all his meetings with local politicians and dignitaries. Gandhi left many items behind after his final stay with Roy (notably for a period of three days c1947), this pair of spectacles being one of the items. Other items from the collection of Satish Chandra Roy have previously sold via this saleroom, including two further pairs of spectacles in 2021. Other items feature within this sale.

A full and comprehensive letter of provenance is supplied by the vendor (a relative of Satish Chandra Roy), and the vendor is happy to share their contact information with the winning bidder should any further provenance be required. The exact contents of the provenance letter will be supplied to the winning bidder only.

Our Notes: although these spectacles differ in type - but not style - from Gandhi's traditional gold-rimmed spectacles, he was known to wear a number of different types over his lifetime. Photographs exist of various forms of 'Windsor' spectacles - from gold rimmed, to steel, to black-rimmed spectacles and other variations. Gandhi wore similar dark-rimmed spectacles during his 73 hour fast in 1947 in an attempt to bring peace to warring communities shortly after independence (pictured). The Calcutta Optical Co first opened in December 1946, and the street where upon they were based now runs through Mahatma Gandhi Road, named such in 1947 after gaining Independence. An opticians still exists at the address, but there are no surviving records from the period. The shape and position of the nose bridge matches previously sold spectacles and the prescription is of a similar strength to other known examples. The spectacles survive in generally good but used condition, with some wear - including cracks to the tortoiseshell around the arms and lenses, but all should be considered commensurate with their age.