A group of silver vessels

INDIA, 19TH CENTURY

Details

A group of silver vessels
India, 19th century
The first an octagonal silver incense burner with lid resting on eight claw feet, with open-work panels topped with raised petal border, the domed lid with birds nestled among floral vines; the second a goblet with round base embellished with elaborate pattern, the stem and two handles in the form of intertwined snakes, the body decorated with swaying leaves at the base merging into a floral pattern, four hallmarks stamped near one handle; the third an ewer of round form atop a circular base, with vertical lines creating swelling ribbing on the body, the spout in the shape of an animal's face with the mouth holding the stopper
7¾ in. (19.6 cm.), the highest (3)

Provenance

Private collection, New York, before 1979

Sale room notice

Please note the detail of the hallmark for this lot is incorrectly labeled in the catalogue as a detail of lot 591.

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Lot Essay

Kashmiri silverware presents the fusion of local motifs and aesthetics with Persian inspired designs. The earliest European-shaped silver made in India with Kashmiri decoration dates from about 1820s. The present goblet at center represents the Rosette pattern, one of the six main types found from the region, where the flowers and leaves of the coriander plant make up the decoration. Small springs of leaves are chased in relief all over the vessel. The influence of Indian silver decoration on European design was prominent. It is probable that this goblet is an example of Britannia silver, given the marks next to the handle. The first is the stamp of the manufacturer, over struck. The second and third are the symbol of Britannia and a lion without a head, together the hallmark for Britannia silver. The fourth stamp denotes the date of 1899. For similar silverware from Kashmir see V. Dehejia, Delight in Design: Indian Silver from the Raj, 2008, p.164, cat. no. 69.

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