Decorative India

Warren Hastings' trial was notorious in the late eighteenth century. Lasting eight years it played a crucial role in the changing perceptions and practice of British Imperial rule in India and much has been written on the subject prior to this. The aim of this publication however is to explore the ways in which the three chimneypieces commissioned by Hastings during his trial, may relate to their context. This takes into consideration the accusations made against Hastings in his impeachment, and whether the highly innovative iconography of the chimneypieces may be seen as some form of response. The chimneypiece has been a much neglected area of study: as a form it became an important site for the expression of social status, wealth and ideologies of the eighteenth century and Warren Hastings' use of them may be seen to interact with his ideologies of Anglo-Indian relations; ideologies under challenge during the trial.