Lucknow Colonial Indian Silver Goblets

Pair of Lucknow Parcel-Gilded Silver Goblets Chased in the Kashmir Style

Lucknow, India

circa 1870

height: 17.1cm, weight (combined): 612g

This unusual pair chased and engraved silver goblets is interesting in the context of the oeuvre of colonial Indian silver because ostensibly, they appear to be of Kashmiri origin: the broad band about their bowls of ‘shawl pattern’ engraving infilled with coriander leaf and flower are motifs typically employed by Kashmiri silversmiths. And yet there are other pointers that suggest that the pair is in fact from Lucknow.

The use of parcel gilding particularly to the feet (now largely worn), the broad leafy sweeps chased to the feet, and the scrolling bands of grape and vine above and below the main Kashmiri-inspired band all point to a Lucknow provenance.

It is likely that a Lucknow silversmith has copied a Kashmiri pattern whilst producing this pair. Another but perhaps less likely alternative as that they were made in Lucknow, following Lucknow principles but by an expatriate Kashmiri silversmith who injected some Kashmiri flair of his own.

The pair are in very fine condition. They sit flatly and straight and are without dents or repairs. The silver employed is solid and high-grade.

References

Dehejia, V., Delight in Design: Indian Silver for the Raj, Mapin, 2008.

Provenance

UK art market

Inventory no.: 1887

SOLD