Michael Backman’s Video Reels

A large silver elephant by India’s best known colonial silversmith, Oomersi Mawji. Featured in a recent monthly catalogue but now sold.

𝑴𝒊𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒆𝒍 𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒎𝒂𝒏
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#colonialsilver #rareart #indianantiques #indiansilver #kutch

Examining traditional river fish traps in central Thailand.

𝑴𝒊𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒆𝒍 𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒎𝒂𝒏
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#thaiculture #thaiantiques #thailand #basketry #fishtrap

Visit our website right now for our September catalogue. More than thirty superb items of world material culture have been added.

𝑴𝒊𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒆𝒍 𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒎𝒂𝒏
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#michaelbackman #burmeselacquer #burmesesculpture #burmeseantiques #londonantiques

On Malaysia’s east coast with one of the earliest known examples of jawi - the Malay version of Arabic.

𝑴𝒊𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒆𝒍 𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒎𝒂𝒏
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#malayculture #malayhistory #malaysia #jawi #calligraphy

Don’t miss out!

Our September 2026 catalogue will be live on our website this week. If you haven’t signed up to receive our email reminders on the day, with a link to the new catalogue, then please do so now by clicking on our bio link. It’s a lifetime subscription hence you only need to do it once.

This is just a sneak peek. Many more exquisite objects will be included in the full catalogue.

#artdafrique #africanart #artpremier #artgallery #londonasianart

Don’t miss out!

Our September 2026 catalogue will be live on our website on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. If you haven’t signed up to receive our email notification for our new catalogue, then please do so now by clicking on our bio link.

This is just a sneak peek. Many more exquisite objects will be included in the full catalogue.

#indiansilver #colonialantiques #silverantiques #artgallery #londonasianart

Don’t miss out!

Our September 2026 catalogue will be live on our website this week. If you haven’t signed up to receive our email reminders on the day, with a link to the new catalogue, then please do so now by clicking on our bio link. It’s a lifetime subscription hence you only need to do it once.

This is just a sneak peek. Many more exquisite objects will be included in the full catalogue.

#tribalart #tribalcarving #yorubaantiques #artgallery #londontribalart

Don’t miss out!

Our September 2026 catalogue will be live on our website this week. If you haven’t signed up to receive our email reminders on the day, with a link to the new catalogue, then please do so now by clicking on our bio link. It’s a lifetime subscription hence you only need to do it once.

This is just a sneak peek. Many more exquisite objects will be included in the full catalogue.

#chineseantiques #chineseart #woodcarving #artgallery #londonasianart

China’s extraordinary Terracotta Army in Xi’an. Some things are over-hyped and do not live up to expectations but the Terracotta Army is so vast that it defies description.

𝑴𝒊𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒆𝒍 𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒎𝒂𝒏
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#terracottaarmy #xian #chineseantiques #chinesehistory #china

A rare set of gilded silver boxes made in Thailand by a local Chinese silversmith. From a private collection. (Not for sale.)

𝑴𝒊𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒆𝒍 𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒎𝒂𝒏
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#londongallery #silverboxes #chinesesilver #thaiantiques #thaisilver

Interpreting Islamic calligraphic tiles in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

𝑴𝒊𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒆𝒍 𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒎𝒂𝒏
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#architecture #islamicart #uzbekistan #samarkand

The afternoon tea bringing ritual procession at the Yogyakarta kraton or palace, Central Java, Indonesia.

𝑴𝒊𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒆𝒍 𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒎𝒂𝒏
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#kraton #indonesianculture #yogyakarta #yogya #indonesianart

Antique betel nut knives can be luxury goods especially when their handles are crafted in silver and gold. From Thailand.

𝑴𝒊𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒆𝒍 𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒎𝒂𝒏
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#betel #sirih #paan #asianantiques #asianculture

In the citadel palace of Vietnam’s ruling Nguyen Dynasty, Hue, central Vietnam.

𝑴𝒊𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒆𝒍 𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒎𝒂𝒏
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#vietnamese #vietnam #southeastasianroyalty #nguyendynasty

The great 19th century Indian silversmith Oomersi Mawji produced an incredible range of objects. This oil lamp dating to around 1880 is among the rarest. (Sold already)

𝑴𝒊𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒆𝒍 𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒎𝒂𝒏
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#rareart #indiansilver #indianantiques #silverwork #luxurygoods

A massive and unique item of colonial Burmese silver sold by us and now in Singapore’s Asian Civilisations Museum.

𝑴𝒊𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒆𝒍 𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒎𝒂𝒏
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#burmeseantiques #asiancivilisationsmuseum #acm #colonialsilver #burmesesilver

Why is there a lot of Chinese Buddhist antique art in the UK? One reason is because China sold large quantities of it in the 1930s and 1940s and it was retailed in London art galleries.

𝑴𝒊𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒆𝒍 𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒎𝒂𝒏
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#chineseantiques #asianantiques #cardiff #artcollecting #antiquecollecting

Four spouted pouring vessels known as kendis - used in Islamic Southeast Asia such as Indonesia and Malaysia. Made in China and Vietnam in the 18th-19th centuries, the silver mounts were added in Southeast Asia. From a private collection and not for sale.

𝑴𝒊𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒆𝒍 𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒎𝒂𝒏
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#islamicantiques #malaysilver #indonesianantiques #chineseporcelain #asianart

Bukhara’s largest mosque. Uzbekistan is a great place to visit. Efficient infrastructure (now!), excellent food, incredible architecture and history and very safe.

𝑴𝒊𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒆𝒍 𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒎𝒂𝒏
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#bukhara #kalyan #uzbekistan #centralasia #islamicarchitecture

Visit our website right now for our August catalogue. More than thirty superb items of world material culture have been added.

𝑴𝒊𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒆𝒍 𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒎𝒂𝒏
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#michaelbackman #indiansilver #silverantiques #oomersimawji #londonantiques