Featured Silver or not? Indian round box

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by 808 raver, May 16, 2024.

  1. 808 raver

    808 raver Well-Known Member

    I just bought this round box solely for the very well executed chasing of the decoration. I didn't pay a lot and I don't mind if it's brass, silver or silver plate. I have no experience with metal ware so any thoughts on any of it would be hugely welcomed. The size is 18cm wide by 7cm high s-l1600 (90).jpg s-l1600 (91).jpg s-l1600 (92).jpg s-l500 (4).jpg s-l1600 (93).jpg
     
  2. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    It is a beauty, and I remember seeing these, but can't remember when. Probably a paan (betel) box.
    It doesn't look like silver, and I don't think they were made in silver, but let's wait for the others.:)
     
  3. 808 raver

    808 raver Well-Known Member

    The design on the front (pot with tree and birds) reminds me of a Goa/Portuguese 18th/19th box design. Is that enamel? paint? or lac? on the design? I have tried looking it up, I only paid £15 including PP so it really was a punt. If you remember the School of Art Jaypour table I bought, that was only going by the workmanship, this has the same feel but the photos I posted aren't good enough to really zoom in like I can on ebay.
     
  4. 808 raver

    808 raver Well-Known Member

    The listing says "white metal"
     
  5. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    That is the 'Puranakumbha' motif, a symbol of prosperity and fertility. It is seen throughout the Subcontinent. I think your box is northern, maybe even Pakistani, but I could be wrong.
    The dark colour is often a natural resin mixed with 'stuff'.
     
  6. 2manybooks

    2manybooks Well-Known Member

  7. 808 raver

    808 raver Well-Known Member

    It's strange you saying this is a "Purana kumbha' motif" I'm not disagreeing with you because I just don't know but it does bring up a question, I have this box and I always wondered where it came from until I found this worthpoint listing for a box too close to mine for it to be made anywhere else, they say it's from South America but mine clearly has a Purana kumbha motif on it and if that is Asian then the worthpoint must be wrong and it's not made in South America?
    https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/unicorn-mother-mary-antique-coca-tea-169076633 119724340_781686452666330_6943703967801979118_n (1).jpg
     
    Figtree3 likes this.
  8. 808 raver

    808 raver Well-Known Member

  9. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Most regions of Europe have the same motif, which is how it was introduced to South America.;) As always, the devil is in the detail.
     
    808 raver likes this.
  10. 808 raver

    808 raver Well-Known Member

  11. 808 raver

    808 raver Well-Known Member

  12. 808 raver

    808 raver Well-Known Member

  13. 808 raver

    808 raver Well-Known Member

  14. 808 raver

    808 raver Well-Known Member

  15. 808 raver

    808 raver Well-Known Member

    With all of these pieces that clearly have been made in the same place or by the same people I still can't find a name or term to look them up for dating or pricing. The box I bought took 12 days in the post :( but now it's here I'm even more impressed with it' it weighs around 1.5kg and the workmanship is very close, so much so I bought another piece, a tray s-l1600 - 2024-06-01T100631.400.jpg
     
  16. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    You've started a new collection.:playful: The tray is stunning.:happy:
     
    808 raver likes this.
  17. 808 raver

    808 raver Well-Known Member

    If I could only just find out what the name of this wear is called I'm sure I'd be on to a winner, every place I've found this distinctive wear comes from they don't seem to know what it's called, it isn't bidriwear, the process seems to be chased copper, blackening and a thin tinning whereas Bidri is a white alloy that's chased and silver let in followed by blackening. I'm stumped :(
     
    Figtree3 and Any Jewelry like this.
  18. 808 raver

    808 raver Well-Known Member

  19. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Yes, I also come across Tarkashi, Bidri and just about anything else. The supposed regions of origin all vary too.
     
    808 raver likes this.
  20. 808 raver

    808 raver Well-Known Member

    When a piece is in your hand you can really appreciate the work and fine detail that goes into this wear, it's far better than the normal (and even good) brass/copper work that comes from that part of the world (I don't know what part that is lol) The heft of the pieces is also amazing, it must have cost a fortune in copper alone and seeing as I'm paying £15 for the box and £24 for the tray (just over scrap price) I can't believe these were made in the last 80 years.
    It's far too good to not have a name, it must be some sort of wear but I just can't find a name I can type in and all I get is pieces like mine, it's infuriating :(
     
    Any Jewelry likes this.
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