ANTIQUE 19thC INDIAN ROYAL PRESENTATION SOLID SILVER TRAY, P. ORR & SONS c.1880
19th Century Indian Colonial silver Royal presentation tea tray, the oval tray boarder decorated with eight snakes and textured scale boarder, facing each other forming handles and in the middle facing fighting mongoose, the tops profusely and beautifully repousse' decorated with a religious idols, a typical scenes from the Meenakshi Amman temple in southern India.
Reference Number: A5450
Price on Request
DESCRIPTION
Antique 19th Century Indian Colonial solid silver Royal presentation tea tray, the oval tray boarder decorated with eight snakes and textured scale boarder, facing each other forming handles and in the middle facing fighting mongoose, the tops profusely and beautifully repousse' decorated with a religious idols, a typical scenes from the Meenakshi Amman temple in southern India. The tray engraves with signs of the zodiac on matted ground.
The centre engraved 'This tea service was presented by ... Maha Rajah of Travanrore, to surgeon major Walter Fry H.M's Indian Army, in token of esteem and regard and in recognition of his voluntary exertion in connection with the Trevandum Museum 1877. (Tea set now lacking)
The tray was presented by the present Maha Rajah as a moment of his brothers death and as acknowledgment of surgeon Major Fry unremitting attention during the late Maha Rajahs last illness 1880.
Indian silver depicting deities and religious processions is inspired by the bas-reliefs on the famous temples in southern India and the style is called "Swami" (see Wilkinson). This style is typically from Madras and is often made by the famous firm P. Orr & Sons (the most important silversmith firm in Colonial South India, reputed to be the largest and best appointed establishment of the kind in India. The firm was founded in 1848 by Peter Orr, a watchmaker originally from Edinburgh. It became famous as P. Orr & Sons in 1863. Maharaja Gaekwar of Baroda, Maharaja Holkar and Maharaja of Cohin commissioned impressive silver pieces presented to the Prince of Wales during his visit to India (1875-76). The firm is particularly known for its "swami silver", depicting Hindu deities. P Orr & Sons also produced impressive silver pieces in the Victorian style, can be seen in the Victoria & Albert Museum, London). The reverse is stamped P.ORR & SONS, MADRAS, similar tray can be found in Delight in design, indian silver for the Raj, Vidya Dehejia, page 106.
CONDITION
In Excellent Condition - No Damage.
SIZE
Width: 54 x 38.5cm
Weight: 1880g
