Indian Colonial Trichinopoly Silver Chatelaine

Silver Chatelaine

This item is at once a fine example of colonial Indian silver work, and an exquisite example of Indian jewellery. Made to be used as a chatelaine (essentially, an organiser for small personal utensils) it comprises a main panel that features very fine openwork against a silver sheet backing plate, from which four silver chains that end with fine, functioning clips, are suspended.

The main panel is finely decorated with a kirtimukha mask, lions, birds, asparas and a Hindu god amid scrolling vines. The edge of the lower half is decorated with a fringe of suspended silver balls.

The back of the main plate has a large silver hook to allow the ensemble to be attached over a belt.

A related example in the Victoria and Albert Museum is illustrated in Barnard (2008, p. 59).

Barnard, N., Indian Jewellery, V&A Publishing, 2008.

UK art market