Colonial Indian Silver Tea Pot

Chased Silver Tea Pot in the Chinese Style

India, probably Calcutta

circa 1900

length: 21.5cm, height: 10.5cm, weight: 588g

This highly unusual Indian colonial silver teapot is finely chased around the body with naturalistic banana palms which are in full growth and on the verge of fruiting. The handle has been engraved as a curved bamboo stem. It has two horn (not ivory) insulators.

The hinged lid is plain and fits perfectly.

The underside of the ‘S’-shaped spout has been beautifully decorated with a large, central banana palm with two smaller ones on either side.

The handle and chasing around the body is reminiscent of Chinese silverwork. The form of the teapot also seems to have been copied from a Chinese porcelain example.

The teapot is unmarked. But the chasing suggests it was probably made in Calcutta. However, it is very unusual in terms of its form, decoration and high quality. No similar example seems to have been published. It is in excellent condition.

References

Dehejia, V., Delight in Design: Indian Silver for the Raj, Mapin, 2008.

Wilkinson, W.R.T., Indian Silver 1858-1947, 1999.

Provenance

UK art market

Inventory no.: 2379

SOLD