A late 19^th century Anglo – Indian parcel gilt silver teapot and twin handled sugar bowl, Madras circa 1880

Raj period, each of globular form upon a stepped circular base. The teapot with a chased elephant head spout opposite a chased elephant head handle, the hinged domed lid surmounted by an affixed finial of a chased caparisoned elephant. The bodies with embossed decoration in the swami style of vignettes of Hindu deities upon their vahana. The teapot with Parvatti as Kali upon a lion, Indra upon an elephant, Kama upon a peacock, Durga upon a tiger, Brahma upon a Hansa goose, Surya upon a horse, and Shiva, in his aspect as Bhairava upon a dog. Each within shaped vignettes against a matted ground interspersed with leaves, all held between borders of stylised organic forms. The lid with embossed oval vignettes of deities. The twin handled sugar bowl with deities sat within circular vignettes, similarly reserved. Each unmarked. (2)

Teapot length – 21 cm / 8.25 inches

Weight – 644 grams / 20.71 ozt