ANTIQUE INDIAN SILVER EWER, SNAKE LID, FISH/LEAVES PATTERN, KASHMIR, LATE 19TH C

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ANTIQUE INDIAN SILVER EWER, SNAKE LID, FISH/LEAVES PATTERN, KASHMIR, LATE 19TH C:
$3144.63

This is a beautiful antique Indian silver ewer from the Kashmir region made in the late 19thcentury.

The ewer has a bulbous body and a cylindrical neck. The handle forms an elegant S-shaped curve and the lid is surmounted with an arched snake finial, which doubles as the thumb piece, and echoes the shape of the handle.

The body of the jug has been decorated in relief usingrepousseand chased techniques. Diagonal sprays of foliage decorate the neck and lower half of the body, and aspirallingband of fish covers the wide upper surface of the body.

Kashmiri silver was one of the most popularregionalstyles of Indian Silver. The silver-work was influenced by the beautiful scenery and rich flora oftheregion. Popular floral motifs, includingthepoppy plant,corianderandchinarleaves,all native to the region,were incorporated intodesignsandsometimesrepeated acrossthe entire surface.Kashmiri artis sometimes described as Indo-Iranian or Indo-Persian anditwas influenced by Indian, European and Middle Eastern design. Elements of the ornamentation, such as the stylised flowers and arabesques, show the artistic influence of the Middle Eastand belong to the Islamic tradition.

Thiswork wasoccasionally gilded or gilded in parts and often contrasted with other areas where differentmetalworkingtechniqueshad beenused, such as piercing and chasing orrepousseand chasing, whichwere three dimensional andprovided a marked textural variation, addingbothvisual and tactile interest.

Thesmooth andintricate effectof thelineworkreplicatedthe artistry ofthewell-knownKashmiri shawls,which wereso popular in Victorian England andwheremotifs such as theboteh,or‘Paisley’shape areoftenfound.The impacton thework of thesilversmithswholooked toit for the pattern libraryand emulating theweave andplay of light across the fabric.Silver, the most reflective of all the metals, was the ideal medium to capture this effect.Milled bordersare often used in Kashmir but rarely found in other regions, and it is likelythese referencethe threads of the weaving looms.

The region’s flourishing textile industry had an impact on the work of the silversmiths who looked to it for inspiration; borrowing and incorporating elements from the pattern library and emulating the weave and play of light across the fabric. Silver, the most reflective of all the metals, was the ideal medium to capture this effect. Floral motifs were usually placed amongst line work adorned with simple circular or curvilinear patterns of arabesques and ‘Paisley’ motifs. This produced a two-dimensional effect with all the work rendered on a flat plane. The line work and background of floral motifs occupied the same level as the arabesques or scrolling ribbons, without the silver’s surface being raised or depressed.

A stunning piece featuring a snake, fish, and leaves; a nature-themed variety!

Weight: 850 grams

Size: Height: 31 cms, Diameter: 16 cms

Please message me with any queries. Thank you for looking and don’t forget to check my other listings for antique European, Indian, Middle Eastern and Asian silver.

I am always interested in purchasing individual items or entire collections of high-quality silver, particularly antique items from Asia, India and the Middle East. If you are looking to sell, please contact me with details.