Six Exquisite Silver and Copper Inlaid Brass Buttons
Northern India, possibly Kashmir, circa 1880
diameter of each button: 2.2 cm
This set of six buttons shows an extraordinary level of craftsmanship. The face of each button comprises a central
lotus flower with inner petals of brass and outer petals carefully rendered in silver surrounded by an elaborate
square, the points of which terminate in a chinar or plane tree leaf, all amid swirling tendrils finely executed in
silver against a darkened background. These buttons almost certainly come from a courtly costume.
Chinar leaves are frequently seen in examples of Kashmiri silverwork. Plane trees were introduced to Kashmir by
the Mughals which stand today in magnificent groves throughout the region. The fineness of the work and the use
of lotus and chinar motifs suggest Kashmiri origins.
Inventory no.: 115
Northern India, possibly Kashmir, circa 1880
diameter of each button: 2.2 cm
This set of six buttons shows an extraordinary level of craftsmanship. The face of each button comprises a central
lotus flower with inner petals of brass and outer petals carefully rendered in silver surrounded by an elaborate
square, the points of which terminate in a chinar or plane tree leaf, all amid swirling tendrils finely executed in
silver against a darkened background. These buttons almost certainly come from a courtly costume.
Chinar leaves are frequently seen in examples of Kashmiri silverwork. Plane trees were introduced to Kashmir by
the Mughals which stand today in magnificent groves throughout the region. The fineness of the work and the use
of lotus and chinar motifs suggest Kashmiri origins.
Inventory no.: 115
