AN OSTRICH EGG SILVER-MOUNTED EGG CODDLER
Possibly Madras (Chennai), Tamil Nadu, Southern India, 19th century

Of typical ovoid shape, the egg coddler made from an ostrich egg and mounted on a flared Indian silver base with rounded circular foot, the lid of similar design with an everted finial, possibly once holding a cup or glass, the silver mounts engraved and decorated with lush palmette leaves, scrolling vegetal trellis, rosette sprays and stylised leafy motifs typical of Madras silver production, the interior filled with the egg coddler grid repeating the same vegetal and floral motifs on the exterior, no evidence of marks, 34.5cm high.