Tiger-claw horse's neck band, 1830 (c).

This beautiful neck band was worn by the horse of Colonel James Skinner. Skinner was born in 1778 in Calcutta, India. His father was a Scottish officer in the Bengal Army of the East India Company. His mother was a Rajput lady. In 1803, Skinner raised a regiment of irregular cavalry that became famous as 'Skinner's Horse'. They were also known as the 'Yellow Boys' because of the colour of their uniform. Later it became one of the most well-known regiments of cavalry in the British Indian Army and it still exists today as part of the modern Indian Army.

The neck band has 13 sections all joined together with gold wire. It is decorated with tiger claws, gold tear drops and blue gemstones.

Copyright: National Army Museum, London