A 18th Century Regular Octagonal Silver Filigree and Silver Gilt Octagonal Casket.
Described as a Betel or Paan Box.
with London dealer Joseph Cohen - March 2023.
and a related 18th Century Irregular Octagonal Silver Filigree and Silver Gilt Casket.
previously with London dealer Michael Backman.
I am very grateful to Michael Backman for allowing me to use his photographs
https://www.michaelbackmanltd.com/
I am very grateful to Joseph Cohen for allowing me to use his photographs.
https://www.josephcohenantiques.com/collections
The Joseph Cohen Casket.
He suggests from Padang, Sumatra.
Size - Height 14.5 x Width 13 cms.
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In 1784, William Marsden published ’The History of Sumatra’,
following his travels to the island. In
Chapter 15, he discusses the betel ceremony and describes two containers owned
by the Sultan of Moco-moco which seem to compare closely to this one in terms
of their size, shape and being fashioned from precious metals. Marsden wrote:-
‘This custom has been accurately described by various writers, and therefore it is almost superfluous to say more on the subject than that the Sumatrans universally use it, carry the ingredients constantly about them, and serve it to their guests on all occasions--the prince in a gold stand, and the poor man in a brass box or mat bag. The betel-stands of the better rank of people are usually of silver embossed with rude figures.
The
Sultan of Moco-moco was presented with one by the India Company, with their
arms on it; and he possesses beside another of gold filigree. The form of the
stand is the frustum of a hexagonal pyramid reversed, about six or eight inches
in diameter. It contains many smaller vessels fitted to the angles, for holding
the nut, leaf, and chunam, which is quicklime made from calcined shells; with
places for the instruments (kachip) employed in cutting the first, and spatulas
for spreading the last.’
Jan Veenedaal confirmed that the shape of the container was typical of objects from Padang, West Sumatra, home of the Meningkabau people and that the tribal figural elements and braided silver ropes were in the style of the Batak people.
In ‘Asian Art and Dutch Taste’, Jan Veenendaal describes the
versatility of the craftsmen. ‘The
Goldsmiths of Padang, who were of Malay origin, travelled throughout Sumatra
and worked in the required style. This might include strong Chinese ornament
for a client in a centre such as Palembang where there was an important Chinese
community.’
William Marsden wrote, ‘There is no manufacture in that part of the
world; and perhaps I might be justified in saying, in any part of the world,
that has been more admired and celebrated than the fine gold and silver
filigree of Sumatra. This however is strictly speaking, the work of the Malay
and not of the original inhabitants.’ Later, he adds ‘The Malays are the sole
fabricators of the exquisite gold and silver filigree, the manufacture of which
has been particularly described.’
I have reached out to Jan Veenendaal but as yet have not heard back.
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The Michael Backman 19th Century Silver Gilt and Silver Filigree Casket.
Possibly related to the Joseph Cohen Casket above.
https://www.michaelbackmanltd.com/object/colonial-gilt-silver-filigree-box/
Sizes width: 10.7cm, depth: 10.3cm, height: 5.8cm,
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It may be coincidence and the resemblance may be superficial.
The round section thicker wire on the interior hinged lids is very unusual but appears very similar to the gilded round wire section details on the casket above.
My thoughts after first seeing this casket is that it is Indian probably Karimnagar.
The use of the small comma shaped twisted wires between the frames of thicker rectangular section I believe is typical of the 18th century Karimnagar work.
The zoomorphic feet also have similarities with other Indian objects. The candle holder below has similar feet.
This image above from Joseph Cohen.
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The Backman Casket
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