An unusual and rare early 20^th century Anglo – Indian unmarked silver bowl, Bombay circa 1920

Raj period. Of compressed circular form with a fold over rim. The sides with embossed decoration in high relief of five panels of figures, including Lord Vishnu before a seated woman, a woman hiding behind a curtain before a man, a woman seated with a child before deer, a scene probably Bhasmasura being danced to by Vishnu in the form of Mohini dancing Muktanṛtya, another scene perhaps Vishnu as Mohini carrying the amrita approached by a man. The upper section eighteen vignettes of pairs of busts facing one another, each wearing a headress, the lower section with a band of stylised Arabic calligraphy. The underside with flat chased scene of a man laying down in a headdress with a vulture above, seemingly holding a shield, presumably for Nekhbet. Marked underneath with T 90 in a spade shaped punch, and a maker’s mark (presumably) F N C O in a shaped punch.

Height – 17 cm / 6.6 inches

Diameter – 24 cm / 9.5 inches

Weight – 1141 grams / 36.68 ozt

These marks have been noted on a twin handled cup and cover embossed in a hunting pattern with the additional stamp BOMBAY. There are examples of Lucknow bowls in Pharaonic pattern, depicting typical ancient Egyptian scenes, an example with import marks for Cairo 1919 sold these rooms, 14 Feb 2023, lot 75 (£400 incl. prem).