BIDAR, DECCAN, CIRCA 1850

Details

A LARGE BIDRI VASE
BIDAR, DECCAN, CIRCA 1850
With small central rounded body surmounted by a tall pronounced trumpet mouth, on spreading foot, raised bands at the junctures of the foot and mouth, the exterior with a bands of silver inlaid meandering leafy and flowering vine between silver inlaid lappet and floral meander stripes, brass inlaid minor chequered borders, the interior with radiating vertical stripes within a floral band, minimal loss of silver
23¼in. (59.3cm.) high

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Lot Essay

It seems very probable that this vase was made for exhibition at Crystal Palace in 1851, at which Bidri ware created such excitement. Its monumental size exceeeds that of any other known example, and would have been appropriate as a display piece. The design of meandering flowering tendrils could well date from an earlier period, but the brass-inlaid chequered minor borders are typical of work of the third quarter of the 19th century (Stronge, Susan: Bidri Ware, London, 1985, nos.22-42, pp.58-67).

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