ANTIQUE 19thC INDIAN SOLID SILVER EXCEPTIONAL REPOUSSE' BOWL, CALCUTTA c.1880
19th Century rare Indian Solid Silver bowl, finely chased with figures, Hindu deities and animals amongst trees, particularly fine and detailed repousse' work, one depicting a feast with a deity on a swing surrounded by a crowd, the other side representing a man gathering cows, the border engraved with initials. The two scenes probably refer to practices of Hindu religion and tradition.
Reference Number: A2874
DESCRIPTION
Antique 19th Century rare Indian Solid Silver bowl, finely chased with figures, Hindu deities and animals amongst trees, particularly fine and detailed repousse' work, one depicting a feast with a deity on a swing surrounded by a crowd, the other side representing a man gathering cows, the border engraved with initials. The two scenes probably refer to practices of Hindu religion and tradition.
The chased decoration depicting figures in a landscape is typically from Calcutta, but in this case the quality of the chasing and the naturalism appear to be exceptional. A very similar style and quality can be found in the best pieces by Grish Chunder Dutt, active in Bhowanipore, Calcutta.
The piece is not marked with the Maker's mark (as often the case for Indian silver), but the base is Hallmarked with Austro-Hungarian silver import marks (used between 1872 and 1901). The fact is most unusual, and has to be noted that a bowl depicting similar cows by Grish Chunder Dutt was sold in Bonhams in 2010 for £9600 and it was part of the Collection of the Austro-Hungarian Emperor Archiduke Franz Ferdinand (please follow this link). The detailed and naturalistic shape of cows and figures, the rounded and matted surface imitating the leaves on the trees and the hammered decoration imitating water and flat ground are all elements that are visible both in this bowl and in the most famous pieces signed by Grish Chunder Dutt, such as the bowl previously mentioned and the jug featuring the "Descent of the Ganges", held in the Virginia Museum of Fine Art (please follow this link).
CONDITION
In Great Condition - no damage, just general wear.
SIZE
Height: 10.6cm
Width: 17.5cm
Weight: 505g
