With his busts of Queen Victoria’s Indian princely protégés, Carlo Marochetti opened a new chapter in the debate on colour in sculpture, which had mainly been concerned with the revival of ancient Greek practices. Gouramma (1841–1864), the daughter of the deposed Rajah of Coorg, was baptised in the Christian faith at Buckingham Palace. She was for a while considered as a possible bride for Dalip Singh (1838–1893), youngest son of the Maharaja of Punjab.

Commissioned by Queen Victoria and presented to Prince Albert at Christmas 1855

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