Two Bronze or Brass Lota, India 19th century or earlier

Indian Subcontinent: India: Handicrafts Pre 1900: item #732739
3810

TWO BRONZE/BRASS LOTA, INDIA, 19TH CENTURY OR EARLIER.

These lota are so similar in size and shape that one could be forgiven for calling them a pair. They differ only in the placement and thickness of their bands. I have owned them for more years than I care to remember and have always admired their elegant simplicity. They are cast, quite heavy; and impossible to date accurately as the design probably dates b... Click for details

Brass Ceremonial Pole Arm, Indian, Indo Persian, 18thC

Indian Subcontinent: India: Handicrafts Pre 1800: item #731245
3801

AN ENGRAVED BRASS CEREMONIAL POLE ARM.

The curved blade and hilt are cast in one piece and must have had some kind of ceremonial use. Probably Mughal Indian or Indo Persian in origin and exhibiting decent age, I would think 18th century or earlier.

11.3/4 inches (29.8 cm) long. Fine condition. ... Click for details

Bronze Bird Lamp, 17/18C India.

Indian Subcontinent: India: Handicrafts Pre 1800: item #492239
3514

A BIRD FORM OIL LAMP, INDIA, 18TH CENTURY.

The bird, possibly a parakeet, forms the oil reservoir of a small suspended oil lamp. Similar birds are illustrated in Mark Zebrowski’s “Gold, Silver and Bronze from Mughal India”, some dating as early as the 16th century. This seems to be a very old example also and so a possible dating to 17th to 18th century seems cautious but fair. ... Click for details

Silver Ewer, India, 19C.

Indian Subcontinent: India: Handicrafts Pre 1900: item #412240
3425

A FINE SILVER EWER, INDIA OR INDO PERSIAN, 19TH CENTURY

This superbly crafted silver jug was possibly used for serving tea or coffee. It seems to be similar to the work produced in northern India. Although unmarked it appears to be made from good quality silver and will polish well, I have left it unpolished so as to show the detailed work better. ... Click for details

Bidri Pandan, Deccan, Early 19th Century.

Indian Subcontinent: India: Handicrafts Pre 1837 VR: item #290638
3087

AN INDIAN BIDRI PANDAN, DECCAN EARLY 19TH CENTURY.

The box with bow-shaped compartments to hold the ingredients for the enjoyment of pan.

These smaller bidri items seem to be much harder to find than the huqqa and the spittoon.

4.5/8” x 3.1/8” x 2.3/8” hi... Click for details

Good Silver Hip Flask, India, 1930 s.

Indian Subcontinent: India: Handicrafts Pre 1940: item #287593
3071

A GOOD SOLID SILVER HIP FLASK, POSSIBLY BY HAMILTON & CO, CALCUTTA, 1930’S.

The British sahib’s essential personal accessory. Beautifully constructed from high grade silver with a cap that locks shut with a twist. The flask is engine turned and has a monogram ‘PS’ in a panel on the front. The bottom has the hallmarks, an elephant for the silver standard, “SILVER”, the date letter ‘U” and the maker’s mark possibl... Click for details

Fine Bidri Huqqa, Deccan, India. 19thC.

Indian Subcontinent: India: Handicrafts Pre 1900: item #284759
3053

A FINE BIDRI HUQQA, INDIA, 19TH CENTURY.

The tall huqqa base profusely inlaid with silver on a zinc alloy body. Unusually, the silver inlay is almost intact, just one or two flower petals missing. I cannot recall seeing such a complete example for a number of years. Probably Bidar, Deccan, India, early 19th century.

Just a tad ov... Click for details

Large Repousse Silver Bowl, India, 19C

Indian Subcontinent: India: Handicrafts Pre 1920: item #284754
3058

A LARGE SILVER BOWL, VILLAGE SCENES, INDIA, 19TH CENTURY.

This large bowl is beautifully decorated with scenes of village life set within Mughal arches above which are swags of flowers. The silver is low grade but will polish well.

8.1/2” diameter, 6” high. Good condition. Though lightly scoured to clean recently, this bowl will p... Click for details

Fine Silver Card Case, SARASVATI, India 19C

Indian Subcontinent: India: Handicrafts Pre 1900: item #278686
3038

A VERY FINE INDIAN SILVER VISITING CARD CASE, 19TH CENTURY.

Just imagine yourself as a young East India Company officer arriving in 19th century India. When you finally arrived at your posting’s British Cantonment you didn’t actually speak to any of the other British residents until you had been introduced. This involved calling at the houses of your betters and leaving your visiting card in the hope of receivin... Click for details

Old Buddhist Bronze Stupa, India, 19C

Indian Subcontinent: India: Handicrafts Pre 1900: item #278680
3037

A BUDDHIST STUPA, LATE 19TH CENTURY.

From the Indian sub-continent. Now polished, it has traces of red paint here and there. I assume it is from the latter years of the 19th century when most of these items came to England from India and Ceylon.

Approximately 8.1/2” high. Seems in good condition though the rim of the dome is sligh... Click for details