Among the collection of over 1,400 items revealed for a novel exhibition and sale hosted by Sotheby's auction house in London are the cherished possessions of British singer-songwriter Freddie Mercury. Among these treasures is an Indian miniature painting from the 16th century.
This Mughal folio, extracted from an 'Akbarnama', portrays a prince on horseback accompanied by his retinue. With an estimated value ranging between GBP 30,000 and 50,000, this artwork is believed to resonate with the vibrant heritage of the flamboyant artist, drawing connections to his Indian Parsi lineage.
Born Farrokh Bulsara, Freddie Mercury hailed from a Parsi family tracing its roots to Bulsar, now Valsad, in Western India, adhering to the time-honoured Persian faith of Zoroastrianism.
Although born in Zanzibar, Mercury's formative years were primarily shaped in India. He was dispatched to a boarding school in Bombay during his early years, where his profound fascination with music and art became evident.
The elaborate miniature painting is just one of numerous artistic pieces that graced the interior of Garden Lodge, his residence in west London. This residence has now been made accessible to the public through a complimentary exhibition named 'Freddie Mercury: A World of His Own' hosted at Sotheby's.
Each of the 15 galleries within Sotheby's New Bond Street establishment hold a distinct facet of Freddie Mercury's life. While some of the items to be showcased are recognisable from his most iconic stage performances—such as the crimson cape and regal crown from his final appearance with Queen at Knebworth in 1986, or the initial catsuits adorned with his own 'Mercury Wings'—numerous articles within the collection have remained unseen by anyone except Mercury's inner circle of friends.
Spanning from his early forays into poetry during school days to recently unearthed designs for Queen's renowned emblem, as well as working drafts for many of the band's most renowned songs, and extending to the revolutionary costumes that captivated the world's attention, the exhibition features it all. Also featured are exquisite paintings, furniture, Japanese decorative arts, glasswork, graphic creations, ceramics, and objects d'art, all of which Mercury passionately sought from auctions and prominent manufacturers, deriving immense joy from them.
At the core of this exhibition is a possession that held profound significance to Mercury and played a pivotal role in the inception of his most exceptional compositions: his cherished Yamaha G2 Baby Grand Piano, appraised at an estimated value of £2-3 million.
The frontman of the renowned band Queen, who passed away at the age of 45, was a passionate collector, and his beloved residence in London has been maintained almost unchanged by his dearest friend and former partner, Mary Austin, ever since his demise over three decades ago.
Admission to the exhibition is free and accessible to everyone, spanning all seven days of the week, concluding September 5th, with what would have been Mercury's birthday.
