An early 20^th century Anglo – Indian unmarked silver bowl, Bangalore circa 1905

Raj period, of broad circular form, the central section with eleven embossed circular vignettes of Hindu Gods upon their vehicles vahana; (1) Agni on a Ram, (2) Indra on an Elephant, (3) Ganesh on a Mouse (Mooshakraja), (4) Bhairava on a Horse, (5) Vishnu on Garduda (enemy of servants), (6) Bahuchara Mata on a Cockerel, (7) Kali (Parvati) on a Lion, (8) Durga on a Manasthala, (9) Chandra on an Antelope, (10) Pushan on a Goat (11) Kubera (god of the dead and wealth) carried by Yakshas (spirit of the forest). Each with textured backgrounds edged with plain abnds with incised lines, reserved with foliate scrolls and flower heads, all below a plain band with incised line. The lower section with an embossed frieze of the symbols of the zodiac Meittha, Pyeittha, Mei-don, Karakat, Thein, Kan, Tu, Pueitsa, Nu, Makaya, Kon and Mein all against grassland and a textured ground.

Diameter – 24.5 cm / 9.45 inches

Weight – 537 grams / 17.27 ozt

A similar Bangalore bowl by C. Krishna Chetty, is illustrated in Wilkinson, W., (1999)., Indian Silver 1858-1947: Decorative Silver from the Indian Sub-Continent and Burma Made by Local Craftsmen in Western Forms. London, Wynyard R T Wilkinson, p. 165.

Wilkinson notes that “[t]he silversmiths of Bangalore produced fine quality work particularly in Swami and in a jungle pattern showing wild animals in a frieze.”