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Parcel-Gilt Silver Pomander with Rose-cut Diamonds, Sapphires & Malachite
West India or Sri Lanka (Ceylon)
19th century
length: 6.7cm, width: 5.9cm, height: 2.5cm, weight: 81 grams
This extraordinary box features some of the finest silverwork encountered. The twelve lobed sides are chased with roses and other flowerheads - work that is similar to
the hilts of more elaborate Ceylonese piha-kaetta knives. (See lot 64, Bonhams, 'Antique Arms & Armour', Knightsbridge, April 22, 2009 for an example.) The spaces
between the lobes are infilled with almost one hundred carefully-matched faceted sapphires.
The domed hinged lid comprises a double-border wall of gilt filigree arabesque open-work of foliate form with interlocking tendrils, set with sixteen larger faceted
sapphires and thirty-two rose-cut diamonds in a jour settings, with a face set with a large oval green malachite plaque carved with two Italian Renaissance-style kneeling,
winged putti or cherubs each of whom bares a water pot. The malachite plaque probably was carved in Russia or Europe (the most important source of this type of
malachite is the Ural mountains).
The base features a rosette of extraordinarily-fine parcel-gilt filigree scrolling foliage work set with engraved gilded flowers over a finely-tooled gilt backing plate - work
that is reminiscent of 17th and 18th century silver-gilt filigree Goa stone or bezoar boxes produced in Goa, West India - all within elaborate filigree parcel-gilt borders.
The interior of the box is doubled-lined and gilded. The lid fits tightly.
The box would have been ideal for holding cloves or some other strong-smelling spice - spices that were grown in southern India and Ceylon - ideal for use as a
pomander or as a localised version of a vinaigrette.
Inventory no.: 746
This Item is available - Ask about this item
Parcel-Gilt Silver Pomander with Rose-cut Diamonds, Sapphires & Malachite
West India or Sri Lanka (Ceylon)
19th century
length: 6.7cm, width: 5.9cm, height: 2.5cm, weight: 81 grams
This extraordinary box features some of the finest silverwork encountered. The twelve lobed sides are chased with roses and other flowerheads - work that is similar to
the hilts of more elaborate Ceylonese piha-kaetta knives. (See lot 64, Bonhams, 'Antique Arms & Armour', Knightsbridge, April 22, 2009 for an example.) The spaces
between the lobes are infilled with almost one hundred carefully-matched faceted sapphires.
The domed hinged lid comprises a double-border wall of gilt filigree arabesque open-work of foliate form with interlocking tendrils, set with sixteen larger faceted
sapphires and thirty-two rose-cut diamonds in a jour settings, with a face set with a large oval green malachite plaque carved with two Italian Renaissance-style kneeling,
winged putti or cherubs each of whom bares a water pot. The malachite plaque probably was carved in Russia or Europe (the most important source of this type of
malachite is the Ural mountains).
The base features a rosette of extraordinarily-fine parcel-gilt filigree scrolling foliage work set with engraved gilded flowers over a finely-tooled gilt backing plate - work
that is reminiscent of 17th and 18th century silver-gilt filigree Goa stone or bezoar boxes produced in Goa, West India - all within elaborate filigree parcel-gilt borders.
The interior of the box is doubled-lined and gilded. The lid fits tightly.
The box would have been ideal for holding cloves or some other strong-smelling spice - spices that were grown in southern India and Ceylon - ideal for use as a
pomander or as a localised version of a vinaigrette.
Inventory no.: 746
This Item is available - Ask about this item
