A rare early 20th century Anglo – Indian silver cigarette or confectionary box, Calcutta, Bhowanipore circa 1910 by Grish Chunder Dutt
Raj period. Of rectangular form with a hinged lid raised upon four cast open work acanthus bracket feet. The lid and sides with embossed and chased decoration of lily pad pattern against a textured ground. Gilt interior. Marked underneath GRISH CHUNDER DUTT & SONS, BHOWANIPORE CALCUTTA.
Length – 18.2 cm / 7.15 inches
Weight – 859 grams / 27.62 ozt

An unusual and rarely seen pattern of decoration from the Bhowanipore workshops. Calcutta has the longest history of Indian colonial silver production, founded by the British in 1690, European owned firms were operating producing British style silver from as early as the 1770's and throughout the 19th century. However, after the opening of the Suez Canal and the increase in trade globally it became noted that Calcutta had not yet developed a regional style like other centres, so it is thought that the decorative patterns were created for the 1883 Calcutta International Exhibition. Village pattern depicting Bengal native life was the most prolifically employed, but also Bamboo pattern inspired by Chinese Export silver and River pattern encompassing Makara. Various families of the names Dass and Dutt marked their wares produced in the suburb Bhowanipore.