Antique European Filigree: Indian Filigree Silver Tray and Contents

Indian Silver and Silver Gilt Filigree Tray and Contents.

Probably Mid 19th Century.

Perhaps Karimnagar, Hyderabad.

Victoria and Albert Museum.

https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O111687/spice-tray-unknown/

With further examples of silver filigree works from Karimnagar.

see my previous post for caskets with perfume bottles at the BM and with dealer ichael Backman

https://antiqueeuropeanfiligree.blogspot.com/2023/01/the-attar-casket-of-tipu-sultan.html

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For an essay on silver filigree from Karimnagar.

This article suggests that filigree work was introduced to Karimnagar by a Mr Kadarla Ramayya of Yalagandala in around the 1830's.

see -

http://nopr.niscpr.res.in/bitstream/123456789/8525/1/IJTK%204%284%29%20386-391.pdf

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Exhibited at the Madras Exhibition 1857.

Indian Museum, transferred to South Kensington Museum in 1879.

Indian Museum slip book number 10,519: 'Tray, Hyderabad'.

Karimnagar - about 75 kms north of Hyderabad is a traditional centre for the manufacture of silver filigree in India and is still a centre of production today.

Here are pieces of filigree with a firm Indian provenance going back to 1857.

This makes these particular pieces key to identifying the place and date of manufacture.

The use of multiple pieces of comma shaped filaments is instructive.

I suggest that this was probably not an older set but was made in India in the mid 19th century.

If this is so then other pieces using the same or similar techniques are not as old as perhaps has been thought.

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Another Pandan (Paan) Box.

Probably mid 19th century but it is dangerous to ascribe an age to an object that has been manufactured using traditional skills in a society which is traditionally conservative.

Length: 9.5cm, height: 4.3cm.

https://www.michaelbackmanltd.com/object/exceptionally-fine-indian-parcel-gilded-silver-filigree-pandan/

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Height: 5cm, length: 9.6cm

I am very grateful to Michael Backman for allowing me to use his photographs

see - https://www.michaelbackmanltd.com/object/exceptionally-fine-indian-deccan-parcel-gilt-silver-filigree-pandan/

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Another 19th Century Indian Silver Gilt and Silver Filigree Casket.

width: 10.7cm, depth: 10.3cm, height: 5.8cm.

This piece must be more or less contemporary with the V and A set above - the form of the feet are almost exactly the same.

Formerly with Michael Backman.

https://www.michaelbackmanltd.com/object/colonial-gilt-silver-filigree-box/

Images here with kind permission from Michael Backman.

https://www.michaelbackmanltd.com/object/colonial-gilt-silver-filigree-box/

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Silver Gilt and Silver Filigree "Paan" Box and Tray.

Given by Prince Albert.

Victoria and Albert Museum.

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A Pair of Silver Filigree Salvers

Perhaps originally stands for Rosewater Sprinklers or Pandans.

Diameter: 24.7cm, height: 3.4cm.

MB suggests 18th Century but without a firm provenance and the similarities to the Prince Albert salver it is difficult to make a definite decision but the workmanship is super fine.

I am again very grateful to Michael Backman for allowing me to use his photographs

and recommend anyone with an interest in art from India, and South East Asia to his excellent website and to subscribe to his monthly newsletter.

https://www.michaelbackmanltd.com/

https://www.michaelbackmanltd.com/object/pair-of-exceptional-indian-parcel-gilded-silver-filigree-trays-or-salvers/

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Indian Silver Filigree Casket.

Probably Karimnager.

Probably mid 19th Century.

11 cms wide.

I suspect it originally had feet.