The Neill Centrepiece, 1859

Silver by John S Hunt (Hunt and Roskell), hallmarked, London, 1859-1860.

Presented to the officers' mess of the 1st Madras Fusiliers by a group of citizens of Madras (Chennai), this memorial centrepiece depicts the death of at Lucknow in 1857.

A column supports the equestrian figure of Brigadier-General James Neill (1810-1857), holding a telescope. The column has a bas relief showing the death of Neil at Lucknow, and, on the other side, a panel bearing battle honours and a memorial list of officers.

Around the column are four figures, including a seated officer, a standing bugler, a sergeant and a kneeling private, with two palm trees. The base is decorated with silver trophies of arms. A cartouche is inscribed, 'Presented to the Officers Mess of the 1st Madras Fusiliers by their Madras Friends in token of their admiration of the gallant achievements of the Regiment during the mutinies in 1858'.

Brigadier-General James Neil was shot and killed at Lucknow on 25 September 1857. Neil had earlier put down a rebellion at Allahabad, before joining Sir Henry Havelock's Lucknow relief column as commander of the 1st Infantry Brigade.