Goa Indian Silver Bowl

Rare Chased Silver Bowl

Antique silver from Goa, the old Christian Portuguese enclave on India’s west coast, is relatively rare. This fine example is typically Goan: it combines northern Indian, Mughal-like motifs with European rococo-like elements.

The bowl sits on a low, flared ring foot. The sides rise steeply to a wide mouth. The rim is rounded and carefully folded over. A central raised rib followed by a raised band of tiger strip motifs runs around the middle of the bowl.

The lower section of the bowl is engraved with eight cartouches engraved with a Mughal-inspired stylised tulip motif. The cartouches are separated by eight leafy, European-style column devices. The upper section is engraved with a broad band of Islamic-inspired Cutch-like vegetal and floral scroll work.

Several words in small

devanagari script have been engraved onto the bowl in a discrete fashion. Probably these are old ownership marks.

The bowl is free of any significant or noticeable dents, splits and repairs. It has a fine patina, is of a good size, and has a strong presence. It represents an interesting and rare addition to the story of colonial and colonial-influenced silverwork in India.

Museum of Christian Art, Rachol, Goa, 1993.

private collection, Switzerland