ANTIQUE 19thC INDIAN (POONA) SOLID SILVER REPOUSSÉ HUNTING BOWL c.1890

Antique 19th Century Indian solid silver footed bowl, probably originating from Poona, beautifully worked in repoussé and finely chased with an elaborate continuous hunting scene. The rounded bowl is richly decorated with an animated procession of mounted huntsmen, figures and wild animals amidst a landscape of trees and foliage. The lively composition incorporates numerous intricately worked details, with the figures and animals rendered in pronounced relief against a finely textured background, creating a wonderful sense of movement and depth. The upper section is framed by a continuous band of scrolling foliate ornament, with a further decorative border encircling the underside of the bowl. The whole is raised upon a pedestal and spreading circular foot, itself extensively embellished with additional repoussé scenes of figures, animals and vegetation. A striking and substantial example of Indian colonial-period silverwork, probably produced in Poona during the latter part of the 19th century, combining accomplished silversmithing with the richly narrative decoration for which Indian silver of this period is so highly regarded. As often the case for Indian silver the bowl is unmarked, but acid tested shows a 900+ silver standard.

Reference Number: A00276