(post in preparation)
updated 8 December 2023
The Silver Filigree Rosewater Sprinklers.
Gulab Pash.
Filigrana, Filigraan, Filigran, Filigrane.
Putting together this post has been a very interesting exercise - it seems that these silver filigree Gulab pash were made in various centres of the Asian world, Karimnager and Orissa in India, Batavia, Indonesia and Canton, China.
Again I have been hampered by lack of provenance and so I have had to rely on stylistic differences in order to define the origin of individual pieces - the Chinese objects are perhaps more obvious but the differences between the filigree made in Cuttack, Orissa, and Karimnager in the Deccan are less so - it is dangerous to generalise but that made in Karimnagar (after the 1820's - there is no evidence of filigree being made at Karimnager before) appears to be more formal using the double twisted wire comma shaped elements within fine rectangular section wire framing - the filigree objects from Cuttack (Kattack) have looser feel and uses the comma shaped elements but also other more varied techniques such as twisted wire spirals.
The pieces from Powis Castle are the exceptions that prove the rule.
For Karamnagar Filigree production and History 1961 see -
https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/31756/download/34937/44848_1961_RCS.pdf
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(Gulabpash various spellings).
Silver Gilt Filigree Rosewater Sprinkler.
18th/19th Century?
Cuttack, Orissa.
Rob Michiels Auctions, Bruges. Belgium.
Sold Lot 592, 26 November 2016.
Catalogued as gilt brass but almost certainly silver gilt using a low quality silver which explains the tarnishing. This is also an indicator that it wasn't manufactured in Karimnagar where the use of almost pure silver seems to have been a point of pride.
Height 35.3 cms.
https://www.rm-auctions.com/en/taxidermy-european-african-and-islamic-arts/4444-a-fine-gilt-brass-rosewater-sprinkler-india-18th-c#&gid=1&pid=1
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V and A Gulab pash.
Cuttack. Orissa.
Mid 19th Century
No size given.
Indian museum slip book number 6,536: 'Utterholder. Silver.
Indore 1867.'
..................................................
Another related Gulab pash.
Cuttack - Mid 19th Century.
Victoria and Albert Museum.
no size given.
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Silver Filigree Rosewater Sprinkler (Gulab pash) previously with London dealer Michael Backman.
The central tear-shaped cartouche on each side of the body
comprises a looser-form filigree arrayed as a floral-like trellis. This allows one to see right through the body,
thereby creating an illusion – the body seems to be completely porous and yet
it continues to emit water. The effect is achieved by there being a silver tube
hidden around the interior sides of the body which serves as the well of the
sprinkler.
Height 30.6 cms.
Again I suggest Cuttack, Orissa.
The Backman website suggests Karimnager or Batavia.
Backman refs.
Jordan, A. et al, The Heritage of Rauluchantim, Museu de Sao
Roque, 1996.
Piotrovsky, M. et al, Silver: Wonders from the East –
Filigree of the Tsars, Lund Humphries/Hermitage Amsterdam, 2006.
Terlinden, C., Mughal Silver Magnificence, Antalga, 1987.
Zebrowski, M., Gold, Silver & Bronze from Mughal India,
Alexandria Press, 1997.
Many thanks to Michael Backman for permission to use his photographs.
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Silver Filigree Gulab pash.
Sold Christie's, Lot 59 - 24 April 2015.
Height 33 cms.
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19th Century Silver Filigree Gulab pash.
Cuttack, Orissa, India.
27cms.
John Nicholson's Auctions, Haslemere.
Lot 185. 19 December 2023.
If I'm not mistaken this Gulab Pash was previously offered by Chiswick Auctions see below.
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Dutch Museums Silver Filigree Gulab pash.
One of a pair.
19th Century.
Cuttack, Orissa.
36 x 8 cms.
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Low resolution image of the filigree cabinet.
Circa 1930, at the Colonial Institute, Amsterdam. (Courtesy
of the Tropenmuseum).
Lifted from Michael Backmans website.
I will be contacting the Museum in due course.
Most of these items are illustrated on the Museums website
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Christie's Silver Filigree Gulab pash.
Lot 1st October 2012.
Second quarter of the 19th century?
Karimnager.
With the typical double twisted comma shaped wires in between fine rectangular section framework.
Sprinkler 11 1/8in. (28.2cm.) high; tray 6 5/8in. (16.7cm.)
diam.
see also
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Silver Filigree Gulab pash.
Museum of Fine Art Houston.
Sprinkler 28.3 × 8.9 cms Tray diameter- 15.9 cm x 1.3 cms
Gifted in 2014.
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The Pair of Silver Filigree Gulab pash in the Salar Jung Museum. Hydrabad.
19th Century Cuttack, Orissa.
These Gulab pash are closely related to the Chiswick Auction example below.
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Silver Filigree Gulab pash.
The Rosewater Sprinkler on the right in the image above.
Height 36 cms.
19th Century.
Cuttack, Orissa.
Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad.
Accession Number XLIV-435.
.................................
Silver Filigree Gulab Pash.
Cuttack, Orissa.
Mid 19th Century
Height 37 cms
Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad.
Accession Number XLIV-441.
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A Silver Gilt Filigree Gulbpash.
35 cms tall.
Sold Chiswick Auctions.
Lot 284, 25 October 2019.
Described (in my opinion correctly) in the catalogue as 19th Century Cuttack, Orissa.
The predominant motifs are created from spirals of double twisted filaments within fine rectangular section wire framing.
Excellent Images below from -
Height.35cm
For a very
similar Cuttack silver filigree sprinkler, please see cat. 96 in Christiane
Terlinden Serra, Mughal Silver Magnificence 16th - 19th centuries, Brussels,
1987, p. 86.
Both sprinklers showcase the incredible skilfulness of Orissan
silversmiths in the art of tarakasi (silver filigree typical of Eastern Indian
territories), producing proper three-dimensional filigree decorations. An
almost identical sprinkler successfully sold at Christie's South Kensington, 24
April 2015, lot 59.
...............................
As far as I can tell Filigree was not manufactured in Karimnager before about 1830 prior to that the main source for filigree objects was Cuttack (Kattack) Orissa on the Indian East Coast.
Essay from the Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge - Vol
4. October, 2005.
This essay suggests
that Mr Kadarla Ramayya introduced the manufacture of filigree at Karamnagar
about 160 years ago.
The first reference I
can find to Kadarla Ramayya and filigree at Karimnager is in 1972 and repeats
the assertions in this essay - so perhaps not entirely to be trusted.
https://nopr.niscpr.res.in/bitstream/123456789/8525/1/IJTK%204(4)%20386-391.pdf
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A 19th Century Silver Gilt Filigree Casket.
Cricket Cage.
Cuttack, Orissa.
26 cms
van Hams Auction house of Koln Lot 302 - 14 Nov 2018.
The workmanship on this Casket is so close to that on the Gulab pash illustrated above that they must almost certainly emanate from the same workshop.
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It is dangerous to generalise but the filigree from Karimnager uses the small tight comma shaped double twisted pieces of silver wire within thin rectangular section framing and is of very fine quality. The 17th/18th century filigree from Cuttack can be very fine but has a slightly looser feel. Silver filigree is still manufactured in Cuttack today.
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Two Similar late 19th Century Gulab Pash.
Cuttack, Orissa, India.
Silver Filigree.
Grand Auction House, Marylebone, London - Lot 292, 16 November 2023.
no size given.
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The V and A marked Cuttack Silver Filigree Gulab pash.
Marked Markund, Soonar, Cuttack.
No size given.
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Another Cuttack Gulab pash at the V and A. Museum.
Marked CUTTACK broondabun [in lower case] SOONAR
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Another Silver Filigree Gulab pash previously with Michael Backman.
Mid 19th Century Cuttack, Orissa.
The sprinkler has a maker’s silver plaque applied to the
inside of the base which says in raised lettering ‘KUNNYE CUTTACK’
Extract from International Exhibition 1862 - Illustrated Catalogue of the Industrial Dept. Vol. 3. Page 261.
Kunnye is mentioned and also Doss, Chotaseeboo and Sahoo Sonar Ramchundar.
For a closely related example almost certainly made by the same manufacture see the Science Museum / Wellcome Collection version below.
Unusually Tall - 40 cms.
Height 40 cms.
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Another Single Silver Filigree Gulab Pash in the Salar Jung Museum, Hydrabad.
Described as Karimnagar but given the similarities with the marked example above I think we can safely say Cuttack.
No size given.
Silver Filigree Gulab Pash.
19th Century.
Height 40.4 cms.
I think more likely Cuttack.
Salar Jung Museum, Hydrabad.
Accession Number XLIV-445.
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The V and A Museum Casket Marked Kunnye, Cuttack.
Mid 19th Century.
Approximately height: 18.5cm
Width: 28.5cm
Marked KUNNYE CUTTACK (on stamped plaque).
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Another piece of marked Cuttack, Orissa, Silver Filigree at the V and A Museum.
Casket in the shape of the tower of the Jagannatha temple,
Puri, Orissa
Height: 28.6cm Width: 10.8cm Depth: 10.8cms
NARIAN CUTTACK (This is stamped onto a silver plaque and
applied to the lower edge of the pedestal. It indicates that it was the work of
Narian, of Cuttack.)
Formerly in the Indian Museum collection, transferred to
South Kensington in 1879.
...............................
Another piece of Marked Cuttack Silver Filigree.
V and A Museum.
Attardan.
Marked SAOTTEE SOONAR CUTTACK (on base)
No size given.
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The Science Museum Perfume Sprinkler.
18th/19th Century.
Henry Wellcome Collection.
Sizes overall: 29 mm x 85 mm x 47 mm.
Cuttack, Orissa.
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Another Gulab pash closely related to the Science Museum version.
Cuttack, Orissa.
Mid/ Late 19th Century.
With King Russell Auctioneers, Knightsbridge, London.
previously offered by King Russell, Lot 222 - 25 April 2023.
Lot 2 - 23, October 2023.
Height 27 cms.
This is the same Rosewater sprinkler illustrated below.
Offered by Chiswick Auctions - Lot 293. 23 Feb.2023.
and again by Nicholson's of Haslemere, Lot 185, 23 December 2023.
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19th Century Silver Filigree Gulab Pash.
Cuttack, Orissa.
33 cms
Lot 888. 28 Jan. 2023 Laidlaws of Carlisle, Auctioneers.
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For a history of Cuttack, Orissa India see -
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The Bonhams Silver Filigree Gulb pash.
Lot 156, 9 -16th November 2021.
32.5 cms tall.
The Ottoman filigree dish pictured behind is unrelated.
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A Pair of Sprinklers with Dutch Dealers Zebregs Roell.
Possibly manufactured in Batavia.
Height 31.6 cm and 31.7 cm.
They suggest c 1700 - 20 Karimnager but I suggest possibly Batavia. They lack the tight comma shaped elements seen on Karimnager workmanship. The similar techniques with looser twisted wire scrolls within the fine rectangular wire framing on the Petronella van Hoorne Box and the other objects below.
The Powis Castle Gulab pash.
The pair of Powis Castle Gulab pash on saucers
Shown above with pair of caskets and double candle holders from Cuttack?
These appear to be the 2 fillagree Rosewater Bottles and 2 Do Stands to 2 Do/2 dressing boxes/ a Do candlestick for 2 candles" in the 1774 inventory listed again in 1775 as Two Philagree Rosewater Bottles h. 11 1/2 in x 31/2 in dia. Saucers 7in diam/ Two Philigree dressing boxes h 2 x 6 3/8in dia./ One Philagree candlestick h. 2 5/8 x 5 7/8 x 4in".
This would seem incontrovertible evidence of the existence of these objects in the Powis castle collection in the 1770's. They did not necessarily start life together.
The techniques used on the boxes and candle sticks and saucers are quite different to those used on the Gulab pash.
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Objects below included here for comparison with the Zebregs Roell Gulab pash.
The Petronella van Horn (1698 -1764) Silver Gilt and Silver Filigree Box.
The workmanship suggests that this box and the needle case above were made in the same workshop.
Christie's catalogue description -
"A silver filigree box and cover, Batavia (Jakarta, Indonesia), circa 1700, with an outer wall of silver filigree in the form of leaves and flowers, encasing a silver-gilt liner, 2 5/8 in. (7 cm.) diam., 1https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6083863 (3.8 cm.) high".
I am not yet entirely convinced of the Batavia attribution. The evidence so far is circumstantial - stylistically it could equally have come from a Dutch or German maker.
Following the death of her first husband, Petronella van Hoorn remarried Lubbert Adolf Tork in 1722, who in 1721 had inherited Rosendael Castle near Arnhem.
Petronella, who acquired the silver filigree circular box and cover in this lot, had formed a collection of filigree, which is described in the catalogue of contents of Rosendael Castle as well as her home in Amsterdam on the Herengracht.
Ref. Karina H. Corrigan, Jan van Campen, Femke Diercks, Janet C. Blyberg eds., Asia in Amsterdam, The Culture of Luxury in the Golden Age, (New Haven and London,
2015), p. 98.
see also From Brill:
Bea Brommer, To My Dear Pieternelletje: Grandfather and Granddaughter in VOC Time, 1710–1720 (Leiden: Brill, 2015), ISBN: 978-9004289666, 175€ / $227.
I couldn't quite bring myself to buy this publication!
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Needle / Bodkin Case from Michael Backman - this time suggested as Batavian.
Closely related to the Zebregs Roell Rosewater Sprinklers etc. illustrated below.
included here for reference.
This needle case is the same work and indeed must be from the same maker as a small lidded box that was on loan to Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum and attributed to Batavia around 1700.
That box is illustrated in Corrigan et al (2015, p. 98). The box belonged to Petronella van Hoorn (1698-1764) who returned to Amsterdam from Java in 1710. It remained with her descendants until recently.
That box appears to be the same box formed part of a lot subsequently sold at Christie’s London in 2017 and in 2016, Sotheby’s sold a rectangular box with similar work that was incorrectly catalogued as Indo-Portuguese India and attributed to the 17th-18th century.
Petronella van Hoorn divided her year between Rosendael Castle near Arnhem, and her home in Amsterdam, on her return to the Netherlands from Java. It is believed that Petronella had other items in her filigree collection but the whereabouts of these is not known.
Refs.
Corrigan, K., J. van Campen, & F. Diercks (eds.), Asian in Amsterdam: The Culture of Luxury in the Golden Age, Peabody Essex Museum/Rijksmuseum, 2015.
Zandvlieyt, K. et al, The Dutch Encounter with Asia 1600-1950, Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, 2002.
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Silver and Silver Gilt Rosewater Sprinkler Gulab pash.
18th Century.
Currently with London Dealer Amir Mohtashemi
The website suggests Karimnager but it is perhaps more likely to have been made in Cuttack, Orissa.
It has an immediate resemblance to the Zebregs Roell Sprinklers above but the use of the comma shaped elements leads me to believe that it is Indian.
29 x 9.5 cm (11³/₈ x 3³/₄ inches).
With London dealer Amir Mohtashemi.
I am very grateful to Amir for giving me permission to use his photographs.
-----------------
Another closely related casket is currently with AJ antiques. Kensington Church Street, London.
14.3 cm width. 9.5 cm height. 10 cm depth.
I am very grateful to ALJ for permission use their photographs.
For another similar work but to a different round shaped
box, please see the "Dutch-Colonial Batavian filigree box", catalogued on Asia In
Amsterdam, The Culture of Luxury In The Golden Age, Peabody Essex Museum,
Salem, Massachusetts, In Conjunction with The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam,
Distributed By Yale University Press, New Haven And London, Lot No. 20 pages
97-98.
................................
Sotheby's
Lot 219 24 April 2013.
No size given!
For a related Bodkin / Needle case and The Petronella van Hoorne box see my previous post.
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Silver Filigree Gulabpash.
This is the same one illustrated above with auctioneers Nicholsons of Haslemere.
19th century.
Chiswick Auctions.
Lot 293. 23 Feb.2023.
The auctioneers say Karimnager but I think given the use of the spiral elements it more likely to be from Cuttack, Orissa.
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The Tipu Sultan Chinese Rosewater Sprinklers at Powis Castle.
Probably late 18th century.
Very poor image courtesy National Trust Collections website
- the inscriptions are illegible.
Quite why the NT provide such poor quality images remains to
be discovered.
Sprinklers Height 32 cms. - Saucers Diam 13.5cms.
Believed to have been brought from India by Henrietta
Herbert, Lady Clive (1786 - 1835).
The saucers bear the inscription "These Gulab Dauns
were found in the sleeping apartment of Tippoo Sultaun on the 4th May 1799 when
Seringapatam was taken by storm & Tippoo was slain. They were presented to
the Countess of Powis".
.......................
The possessions of Tipu Sultans which were not looted, were
sold by Dobbin & Hogg of Madras, including, in June 1802, 'Two Gold and
Silver Fillagreed WAITERS? of Suprior Workmanship, set with Rubies and
Emeralds.' (Madras Courier, Madras, Wednesday, 30 June 1802, p. 4c).
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Bonham's Silver Filigree and Enamel Chinese Gulab pash.
Lot 700. 15 May 2018.
29.5 cms tall.
https://www.bonhams.com/auction/24524/lot/700/a-silver-gilt-filigree-and-enamel-rose-water-sprinkler-18th-century/
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Chinese Gulab pash.
Probably Canton.
19th Century.
31.4 cms.
Salar Jung Museum, Hydrabad
Accession Number XLIX-963
https://museumsofindia.gov.in/repository/record/sjm_hyd-XLIX-963-42641
Another Chinese Silver Filigree and Enamel Gulab pash.
Probably Canton.
Height 31.2 cms.
19th Century.
Salar Jung Museum, Hydrabad
Accession Number XLIX-965
https://museumsofindia.gov.in/repository/record/sjm_hyd-XLIX-965-42644
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Silver Filigree Gulab pash.
Cuttack, Orissa.
No size given
Archive Photograph.
https://recherche.smb.museum/detail/1423402
Attardan, um Rosenwasser zu sprengen, Silber Filigran - Ethnological Museum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Germany - CC BY-NC-SA.
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