The Sandalwood Throne

Recreating "THE THRONE OF QUEEN VICTORIA"

Recreating 'THE THRONE OF QUEEN VICTORIA' in Sandalwood Carving by Mohit Jangid

San Francisco, United States

The task at hand for Mohit Jangid involved recreating a magnificent piece of art - 'The Throne of Queen Victoria' - out of Sandalwood. Mr. Jangid is no stranger to such projects, having already worked on numerous custom pieces for affluent families such as Emami, Jackson, and Havels. Given his impressive portfolio.

This magnificent 4-foot-tall hand-carved sandalwood replica of Queen Victoria’s Royal Throne is one of the most ambitious and technically complex works of art created by Mohit Jangid, a master sandalwood sculptor from a long lineage of traditional carvers.

The project involved recreating the grandeur and symbolism of British royalty through the lens of Indian craftsmanship, carved entirely in miniature detail from pure Indian sandalwood. It merges two worlds—Western imperial design and Eastern heritage woodcarving mastery—in a single awe-inspiring piece.

Making of Sandalwood Throne

At workshop in Jaipur, India

An American art collector from California approached Mr. Jangid for a unique project. The challenge was to reproduce the aforementioned throne, a feat which had never been attempted by any other artist except the original creator. To ensure Mr. Jangid's competence in wood carving, the collector assigned him several tasks; only after successfully completing them to the collector's satisfaction was Mr. Jangid commissioned to create the throne. With several months dedicated to this labor of love, the sandalwood throne will undoubtedly be a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, crafted with precision to match the original.

The original throne of Queen Victoria was a symbol of sovereignty, empire, and regal authority during the British colonial era. Mohit Jangid’s recreation pays tribute not only to the visual form of the throne but also reinterprets its story in carved symbolism, using traditional Indian micro-carving tools and the unique properties of sandalwood.

Symbolic of strength and power, the legs and arms of the throne are carved with roaring lions, each detailed down to the mane and claws.
The upper backrest is crowned with an emblematic arch resembling the British crown and coat of arms, flanked by carved drapes and scrolls—symbolizing royal lineage and court prestige.
Using extremely fine chisel work, the artist mimics tufted cushions and royal embroidery patterns, creating the illusion of plushness in rigid wood.
Victorian-era elements such as floral wreaths, tassels, Gothic columns, and ornamental borders are replicated with microscopic precision.
The platform includes layered carvings of regal patterns, scroll feet, and lattice panels—each echoing the aesthetic of 19th-century royal furniture.

SOLD $41,000 USD

This 4 ft sandalwood throne is not just a sculpture—it is a bridge between two empires, two styles, and two stories—crafted by the steady hands of one of India's most talented wood artists.