Kashmiri Three-Piece ‘Samover’-style Silver Tea Set

Each component of this three-piece tea set of high-grade silver is based on the form of a Central Asian samovar – whereby the vessel would be filled with water and the pierced foot would be filled with hot coals to keep the contents hot.

Kashmir was unique in colonial India for producing items in silver based on mundane or utilitarian household objects and elevating them into items of luxury such as silver teaware.

The tea set comprises a teapot, a sugar bowl and a milk jug. Each piece is fitted with a hinged lid.

Each is decorated with what became known in Kashmir as the ‘shawl’ pattern, infilled with coriander leaf and flower motifs. Each has handles with ‘S’-shaped handles of zoomorphic form – highly stylised dragon-like makaras. Each lid has a high, bud-like finial.

The tea set is in excellent condition and is without dents, splits or repairs.

 

Above: The flowers and fine leaves of the coriander plant, a motif used in Kashmiri silver and extensively on this tea set.