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A Fine Tea Pot, Silver, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, North-Eastern India, ca. 1870-1890.

REGISTERED ANTIQUITY – NON-EXPORTABLE ITEM.

 

Object Detail

 

This is a beautifully elongated teapot with an attachable lid. Employing the technique of repoussé, the surface of the teapot is adorned with intricate raised reliefs that have been meticulously formed by hammering from the reverse side, resulting in a tactile and visually engaging design.

 

The body is narrating a rich tapestry of palm leaves, with artistically rendered bird and animal motifs. Among the featured birds are peacocks, sparrows and owls, each delicately integrated into the composition. They are depicted stylistically.  Fish motifs, artistically rendered and arranged around the upper band of the teapot, serve a decorative purpose. The fish’s fins are also rendered stylistically on the bottom rim of the teapot, along with the border on the lid, on the handle and on the pouring mouthpiece. The handle of the teapot, elegantly positioned at the top, features a striking snake design as its finial. This scaled serpent handle is beautifully crafted, showcasing the exquisite detail of the rearing cobra head. Notably, the teapot is crowned with a richly detailed finial in the form of a standing elephant, a motif that is reminiscent of other exquisite teapots or water pitchers acquired from Lucknow, exemplifying the region’s distinct artistry. Thus, the combination of artistry and functionality makes this teapot a remarkable piece, drawing the eye and inviting admiration for its exceptional handling and design.

 

Lucknow and its neighbouring areas of Northern India, have a long and rich tradition of silversmithing that dates back to the 10th century, significantly influenced by Islamic culture. From 1858 onwards, there was a marked increase in the production of Indian-style silver objects shaped specifically in European styles, with exceptional craftsmanship evident in pieces created between 1860 and 1920. Lucknow silver features three notable motifs: the jungle, showcasing groves of date palms along with various animals like dogs, bears, deer and birds; decorative coriander leaves and flowers; and hunting scenes involving lions, tigers and horses.

 

 

Provenance

 

From a Private Collection in Mumbai, India.

 

Condition

 

Good Condition with minor wear.

 

Dimension

 

Height – 8 Inches.

Width – 8.5 Inches.

 

Literature Comparison

 

1.Harish K. Patel and Veronica J. McDavid, “Lucknow,” Indian Silver during the Raj: Lucknow, Silver from India 1850–1920 (blog), accessed August 26, 2025, Silver from India 1850–1920

 

2.Vidya Dehejia, Delight in Design: Indian Silver for the Raj (Ahmedabad: Mapin Publishing, 2008).

 

3.Stephen Markel, Mughal and Early Modern Metalware from South Asia at LACMA: An Online Scholarly Catalogue (Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 2020), accessed August, 26, 2025, https://archive.org/details/mughal-metalware.

 

4.Pushkin’s, Indian Silver – History & Silversmiths, Pushkin’s (London), accessed August 26, 2025, https://pushkins.com/indian-silver-full-article

 

5.Shax Riegler, “Indian Silver for the Raj,” The Magazine ANTIQUES, February 1, 2009 (October 2008 issue), in Delight in Design: Indian Silver for the Raj exhibition at Columbia University, accessed August 26, 2025, The Magazine ANTIQUES.

 

6.Sir George Watt, Indian Art at Delhi, 1903: Being the Official Catalogue of the Delhi Exhibition, 1902–1903, with illustrative part by Percy Brown (Calcutta: Superintendent of Government Printing, 1903).

 

7.Harish K. Patel and Veronica J. McDavid, “Lucknow,” Indian Silver during the Raj: Lucknow, Silver from India 1850–1920 (blog), accessed August 26, 2025, Silver from India 1850–1920.

 

 

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