ANTIQUE 19thC INDIAN CUTCH SOLID SILVER MAGNIFICENT LARGE TRAY c.1880
19th Century rare Indian Cutch hand crafted and pierced solid silver serving tray, of rectangular form with cut corners, on cast bracket feet, finely chased all-over with the typical Indian colonial Cutch Islamic-inspired dense foliage and flower work, amongst which animals and hunters are projecting in bas-relief, the openwork border repeated in the same floral and foliate motif and terminates with an unusual rim simulating bamboo, applied cast handles in the same style. The bamboo-motif border is a pattern inspired by the Chinese Export silver and is also recorded in a tray by one of the most renowned Cutch silversmiths who moved to Karachi: J. Manikrai.
Not hallmarked, but acid tested shows a 800+ silver standard, dates to the 1880-1890's.
Reference Number: A2278
Description
Antique 19th Century rare Indian Cutch (Kutch) hand crafted and pierced solid silver serving tray, large size and heavy gauge, of rectangular form with cut corners, on cast bracket feet, finely chased all-over with the typical Indian colonial Cutch Islamic-inspired dense foliage and flower work, amongst which animals and hunters are projecting in bas-relief, the openwork border repeated in the same floral and foliate motif and terminates with an unusual rim simulating bamboo, applied cast handles in the same style. The bamboo-motif border is a pattern inspired by the Chinese Export silver and is also recorded in a tray by one of the most renowned Cutch silversmiths who moved to Karachi: J. Manikrai (please see Wilkinson's "Indian Silver 1858-1947" p. 91). By the way in this case the style is entirely Cutch.
This is a magnificent and rare piece, typically Cutch, the design and the quality very closely reminds of the Oomersi Mawji pieces, the projecting figures and animals are extraordinarily detailed and exceptional (please see pictures). Heavy gauge and extremely high quality of workmanship, as often the case the piece is not hallmarked, but acid tested shows a 800+ silver standard, dates to the 1880-1890's.
Condition
In Great Condition - no damage.
Size
Height: 4cm
Width: 51 x 32.2cm
Weight: 1318g
