A rare pair of mid - 19^th century Anglo – Indian unmarked silver peppers, Cutch circa 1860

Raj period. Each of circular vase form upon short cylindrical bases, the domed pull off lids surmounted by knop finials. The bodies with chased decoration in hunting pattern amidst rosette scrolls. (2)

Height – 9.8 cm / 3.8 inches

Weight – 190 grams / 6.11 ozt

This early form of decoration is allotted to the mid-19th century in the Cutch or possibly Poona region, it features larger more open foliate scrolls populated with figures and animals that dominate the design as opposed to the later chased work from Cutch with animals found within a dense network of foliate scrolls. An early 19th century Indian Colonial silver butter cooler by Hamilton and Co, that has been interestingly later decorated with large bands of this early decoration was sold Christie's 23 Oct 2008, lot 115, where it is noted "Wynyard Wilkinson proposes that the chasing was possibly done in Poona or Cutch circa 1850-1870.". A coconut cup with a mount chased with the same form of workmanship was sold these rooms 22 June 2022, lot 136.

In support of this earlier date are the forms of the peppers which closely follow the peppers and condiments prolifically produced by Indian Colonial silversmithing firms from Calcutta and Madras in the first half of the 19^th century.