Fine, Large, South Indian Silver Platter

This large and impressive silver platter has been extensively chased with scrolling vine and flower work, all around a central floral roundel.

The wide rim is decorated with lotus petal cartouches. These are chased alternatively with a leafy stem in bud, and then the same stem with the bud open as a flower.

Silver and goldwork with such dense scrolling motifs is associated with Mysore (Mysuru) in the southern state of Karnataka. Such work is illustrated in Birdwood (1880, pl 10,11). It seems that Madras silversmiths copied the style in the second half of the 19th century.

The platter here is in excellent condition. The silver used is high grade, and correspondingly, the platter has a good weight in the hand.