498 marble statue of Serfoji II, said to have been erected by John Flaxman whb was a Sculptor and Designer and an Associate of the Royal Academy, London and who lived during 1755–1826. While it was related in the book entitled ... The Last Days of Bishop Heber’ by Thomas Robinson (1829) that the statue of the Rajah was made by Flaxman, the Tanjore District Gazateer says that it was made by “Chantray." The authority for this statement has not been quoted. The plaque depicting the death bed of Rev. Christian Frederick Schwartz was also made by Flaxman. The advance for making the statue of serfoji ought to have been sent in 1803, but the statue was erected ( in the former Nayak Durbar Hall) only in 1807.
- Tonks" were made to the deceased kings and also to the queens who predeceased their spouses. Yamuna Boi and Chakvar Boi committed
• Sati' at the death of Pratapa Simha and “ Tonks" were erected for them. There were artisans who could make idols of metals. Dolls representing people belonging to eighteen castes were supplied for the Nava Ratri toy exhibition. - One Sarangapani, a painter, supplied 80 paintings for Rs. 140. He was also a paid servant on a pay of Rs. 3 per month. - In the Maratha Durbar Hall there were large pictures of all the Maratha Kings. There were also portraits of the Maratha Kings in the Palace.
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Four pictures of Serfoji II mounted on horse were also painted in 1816. - Venkatapperumal and Venkatanaranappayya were some of the painters of that period. There were women painters also, A painter, Thomas by name, was appointed to paint rare naturai scenery while Serfoji was on pilgrimage to Benares, on a monthly salary of 10 phuli varahans. Painter Govinda Swami was given Rs.200 for painting a picture of Sivaji ll. + 31. The Mutts and the Ascetics Though there were big Mutts in Dharmapuram and Thiruvavaduthurai. we have reference only to the Kasi Mutt and its head the " Kasi Tambiran " at Benares. References to Brahmin Mutts such as the Kanchi Kama Koti Peetam and the Ahobila Mutt are also available.
