LONDON.- A second gem-encrusted gold finial from the octagonal golden throne of Tipu Sultan, the Tiger of Mysore, was sold at The Bonhams New Bond Street on October 7th in the Indian & Islamic Art sale for £434,400. This is the second such finial to pass through Bonhams Bond Street saleroom in 18 months. The first finial sold for £389,600 on 2nd April 2009. Both were at Bonhams recently, reuniting two parts of this fabled throne after 200 years, and offering Tipu scholars an extraordinary opportunity to appreciate the workmanship of these objects. These finials are among the most important Tipu items ever to appear at auction. The one sold today (7.10.10) was in the possession of the same Scottish family for the past years 200 years coming down to the present owner by direct descent. The first finial sold at Bonhams had lain in an English castle, for at least 100 years and then in a bank vault, unknown to Tipu enthusiasts and