Early Kutch Silver Bowl, Cover & Matching Dish

This early and rare example of colonial Kutch silverwork dates to around 1820. It comprises a dish, a bowl and a cover, all matching. The chasing work is composed of Islamic-influenced tight scrollwork and flower motifs. It is typical of the Kutch work of the late 19th century except that it is more bold, more flat and the background has been darkened with a lac so that the raised elements standout more clearly.

The dish, which has relatively high sides, is most beautifully decorated with the addition of a central flower medallion roundel, which matches perfectly in terms of size, the foot of the bowl.

The dish sits on a low, ring foot, as does the bowl. The cover fits tightly into the bowl and has a domed form rising to an elaborate finial.

The chasing on this set is identical to that on a silver covered vase sold by us which was made prior to 1823. Like the vase, this set is an important example of earlier colonial Indian silver that is not simply a facsimile of English of Scottish silver, but which incorporates a local, and in this case Islamic aesthetic. It is also similar to a silver dish sold by us and inscribed from the colonial diarist Marianne Postans. Given these two other items which could be approximately dated to around 1820, it is reasonable to give the set here a similar dating. This makes it rare and academically useful as a forerunner of later Kutch silverwork which became very popular towards the end of the 19th century.

Overall, this is a most unusual set and as mentioned, an early form of colonial Kutch silverwork. It is remarkable that the the set has stayed together. Each piece is in fine condition.