Dadiba Merwanji Dalal | A Justice Of The Peace
A Diplomatic Corps uniform belonging to Dadiba Merwanji Dalal (1870-1941) and made by Hill Brothers of Bruton Street will be offered in our Homes and Interiors (including Asian Art and Militaria) on 24 November with an estimate of £400-600. Merwanji Dalal was the second man to be appointed High Commissioner for India and the first of Indian Parsi origin.
Lot 2
A Diplomatic Corps uniform, belonging to Dadiba Merwanji Dalal (1870-1941)
Estimate - £400 - 600
A Diplomatic Corps uniform belonging to Dadiba Merwanji Dalal (1870-1941) and made by Hill Brothers of Bruton Street will be offered in our Homes and Interiors (including Asian Art and Militaria) on 24 November with an estimate of £400-600.
Merwanji Dalal was the second man to be appointed High Commissioner for India and the first of Indian Parsi origin. Succeeding the first High Commissioner Sir William Stevenson Meyer in January 1923, his visit to London in April prompted the Spectator to note.
“[This is] 'fresh proof of the British Government's wish to conciliate Indian opinion...the fact that an Indian will now represent India in the heart of the Empire shows that the process of 'Indianizing' the Services in India is no empty phrase.”
His tenure in the role was brief: knighted in the 1924 New Year Honours List he retired at the end of the year and was succeeded by Sir Atul Chandra Chatterjee.
Uniform as listed by Hill Brothers, London Ltd
The full dress uniform, dated 28-12-1938, comprises a sword, boots, white stockings, gold lace trousers, a coat, gloves, a cocked hat, belt and other garments all within a trunk. It belonged to Dala’s daughter Gooli, who was disowned by her family after a romantic relationship with the seller's uncle.
Click here to find out more information about our Homes and Interiors sales.
Recent News
From the Sir Thomas Longmore Library
A fascinating group of 42 lots from the Sir Thomas Longmore library feature in our Books, Manuscripts and Maps auction, offering a rare insight into Victorian military medicine and reform. Highlights include two letters by Florence Nightingale, alongside annotated books and personal volumes from Longmore’s own collection.
16 April 2026
A Scholar’s Library
A remarkable group of books from the library of Professor C.J.F. Dowsett will feature in our April Books, Manuscripts and Maps sale. The collection reflects a lifetime of scholarship in Armenian, Iranian and Near Eastern studies.
16 April 2026
Mr. Fish | A Peacock Revolution
Our first Jewellery and Luxury sale of the year will feature a collection of Mr. Fish garments and other late 1960s clothing.
13 April 2026