Date of Award

5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Art History, AI, & Visual Culture

Department

Art

Second Advisor

Sarah Cantor

Third Advisor

Caroline Paganussi

Abstract

Tipu’s Tiger, a powerful artifact at the nexus of colonialism, cultural preservation, and museum practices, serves as a unique case study of shifting historical interpretations. Originally crafted in Mysore, India as a symbol of resistance against British colonial forces, the object was later repurposed as a trophy of empire. This dual role embodies the tensions central to postcolonial theory, where the meanings of cultural artifacts shift depending on the context in which they are placed. Through the lens of Homi Bhabha’s theory of hybridity, Tipu’s Tiger is understood as a hybrid object, reflecting the complex liminal space between its original function and its recontextualization as a colonial trophy. The material transformation of the artifact, including its documented damage and subsequent restoration, deepens this hybridity, marking the object as an active participant in its ongoing reinterpretation.

The artifact’s presentation at the Victoria and Albert Museum highlights the museum's role in shaping historical narratives. While the V&A has made strides in engaging with the complexities of Tipu’s Tiger’s history, the current display reflects a sanitized version of the artifact’s layered past. This research underscores the potential for a more dynamic and ethically attuned curatorial approach, one that recognizes and elaborates on the artifact's dual identity and its cultural significance as both a symbol of resistance and a colonial trophy. Ultimately, Tipu’s Tiger challenges us to reconsider the responsibilities of institutions in addressing captured heritage, as the artifact's evolving meaning continues to reflect the complicated nature of cultural dominance, resistance, and historical reinterpretation.

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