Featured Indian Raj, Kutch or Burmese? silver bracelet

Hello again,

I come across various antique silver jewellery as that is my main area, and have a liking for Raj Indian silver and Chinese 19th century as well. I got this some time ago but have never definitively sorted its origin. The floral carving speaks to me of Indian Raj silverwork, possibly from the Kutch area, or maybe Burma, the flowers especially being reminiscent of Indian work I have had and seen. Does anyone out there have any ideas on this piece? It's had an amazing amount of work gone into it, the carving being in 3D and in solid 800 grade silver or slightly higher and it's lovely to wear.

 

Gorgeous, Smudged.
I would say it is Indian, but it is not from Kutch. And I think it is later than the Raj. The style does have that look of in between traditional and non-traditional that Anglo-Indian silver has, but this was not made for Europeans imo.
Possibly a traditional bangle with a slight modern twist, post-independence.

 

On the subject of gorgeous beasty bangles from the sub-continent, could you take a look at my lion bangle, which is still a mystery? I'd love to know what you think.
It is this thread:
https://www.antiquers.com/threads/lion-bracelet-silver-gold-india-pakistan.17347/#post-238375

 

Ahhhh, thank you AJ! I was pretty sure Indian was right but narrowing it down meant I had hit a brick wall! Later is a good bet as like you said it doesn't quite fit the Raj period but looks too old fashioned for modern. I hadn't considered post independence so thanks for that, soooo much work went into it, I love it and wear it often.

Your lions are magnificent! One thing occurs to me though... the silver looks older, and I have to say I would think an eastern origin too at first glance, especially with the 'feathery' area and what looks almost like clouds on the end pieces. Do you think the gold work could be later and added to 'save' or upgrade an older piece?

 

Have to admit I can get a bit bogged down in the various styles with these bracelets, Iv'e not seen anything quite like yours though, they are stunning.

 

Thanks for taking a look, and for liking my lions, I really love them.

Possibly. I have found that some of those gold 'backings' were made in Germany for the Indian market in the late 19th-early 20th century. I have no proof that these were, however. No marks, nothing.

 

I never knew that, fascinating! It's really intrigued me now, those heads...

 

Hi,
Back in the 1960s when I went to India I saw thousands of silver workers in just about every major city I visited. Some were only kids and I mean under 8 yrs old. The same with rug weavers. There were miles of workers some gold some silver and lot of brass. The worse was not being able to leave the hotel until 7AM. The streets had to cleaned up with all of the bodies that died during the night. It was the most exciting places that I had ever visited. My two other trips there were spent in the interior of India at small cities and villages. Where else would you find a 50 lb malachite boulder for 10 dollars??? The stuff that pours out of India is just unbelievable. When I moved to Iselin NJ (called little India). The hundreds of stores and market places was just like being back in India, only the wealthiest places though,
the poor were missing. I always recommend people who go through Middlesex County in NJ at least spend several hours in Iselin. The colors, the aromas and jewelry, clothing is just wonderful.
greg

 

Gregsglass...That must have been amazing, so much skill and tradition visible, even though with what sounds like hard conditions. I visited Instanbul and the souks in the early 90s and loved it, even if a bit overwhelming at the time. I can only imagine India would have a similar effect, amazing and overwhelming at the same time. I have photos my grandfather took in the 1930s in India while he was stationed there in the army (royal signals), amazing images of architecture and landscapes.

 

I have been to both India and Turkey, both in the 70s. The souks of Istanbul seem like highly organized shopping centres compared to India. India is much more overwhelming, louder, more chaos. The traffic in the big cities is even worse than in Rome, where crossing the road means risking your life.
Both India and Turkey are wonderful in their own way. Rome too, for that matter.

 

This area has Little Jamaicas, but no real Indian areas per se. Lots of Indians though. As for the driving conditions ... got those!

 

Beautiful bracelet, @Smudged -- I know nothing about these but enjoy looking.

 

I am a Londoner. My Indian friends and neighbours reckon the cuisines - many and varied - of India here are better than on the sub continent. I can buy almost every ingredient from every country on the planet within a half mile. This, I like enormously.