ANTIQUE 19thC INDIAN KUTCH SOLID SILVER SALVER, OOMERSI MAWJI, BHUJ c.1890
Antique 19th Century rare Indian Oomersi Mawji, (Kutch), Bhuj, Gujarat region hand-crafted solid silver salver, of circular form on four flared shaped feet, applied floral border, finely chased with scrolling leaves and flower patterns on a finely tooled ground, typical of Cutch work and with four medallions chased with Hindu deities. In the centre, an elephant is depicted fighting a leopard. Silver from the Kutch (Cutch) region of India became the most renowned among Indian regional styles, largely due to the support of the local Maharajas. They championed the artisans' work, commissioning pieces for personal use and diplomatic gifts, and sponsoring silversmiths to exhibit their craft nationally and internationally. This advocacy ensured widespread recognition and admiration for Kutch silverware, celebrated for its craftsmanship, aesthetic appeal, weight, and high-quality silver.
This salver tray is particularly rare as it bears the Maker's mark "O.M BHUJ", for Oomersi Mawji. This piece is made by the Son in the family.
Reference Number: A12403
Antique 19th Century rare Indian Oomersi Mawji, (Kutch), Bhuj, Gujarat region hand-crafted solid silver salver, of circular form on four flared shaped feet, applied floral border, finely chased with scrolling leaves and flower patterns on a finely tooled ground, typical of Cutch work and with four medallions chased with Hindu deities. In the centre, an elephant is depicted fighting a leopard. Silver from the Kutch (Cutch) region of India became the most renowned among Indian regional styles, largely due to the support of the local Maharajas. They championed the artisans' work, commissioning pieces for personal use and diplomatic gifts, and sponsoring silversmiths to exhibit their craft nationally and internationally. This advocacy ensured widespread recognition and admiration for Kutch silverware, celebrated for its craftsmanship, aesthetic appeal, weight, and high-quality silver.
This salver tray is particularly rare as it bears the Maker's mark "O.M BHUJ", for Oomersi Mawji. This piece is made by the Son in the family.
Reference Number: A12403
Antique 19th Century rare Indian Oomersi Mawji, (Kutch), Bhuj, Gujarat region hand-crafted solid silver salver, of circular form on four flared shaped feet, applied floral border, finely chased with scrolling leaves and flower patterns on a finely tooled ground, typical of Cutch work and with four medallions chased with Hindu deities. In the centre, an elephant is depicted fighting a leopard. Silver from the Kutch (Cutch) region of India became the most renowned among Indian regional styles, largely due to the support of the local Maharajas. They championed the artisans' work, commissioning pieces for personal use and diplomatic gifts, and sponsoring silversmiths to exhibit their craft nationally and internationally. This advocacy ensured widespread recognition and admiration for Kutch silverware, celebrated for its craftsmanship, aesthetic appeal, weight, and high-quality silver.
This salver tray is particularly rare as it bears the Maker's mark "O.M BHUJ", for Oomersi Mawji. This piece is made by the Son in the family.
Reference Number: A12403
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The "Kutch style" of silver decoration emerged in the early 19th century, evolving into its distinct form by the century's end. Its origins are debated, with some attributing inspiration to the 15th-century mosque of Ahmedabad, known for its fusion of Islamic and Hindu imagery in intricately carved stone windows. Dutch and Portuguese influences are also noted, particularly in the repoussé borders and decorative similarities to 17th-century Portuguese pottery.
The maker's mark "O.M BHUJ", for Oomersi Mawji, the most renowned Indian Colonial silversmith, Court Silversmith to the ruler of Kutch, Maharao Shri Mirza Raja Sawai Khengarji Bahadurno, the longest ruling Maharajadhiraj of the Princely State of Cutch, from 1875 to 1942. The Oomersi Mawji pieces are now very sought after by collectors.
Oomersi Mawji is undoubtedly the most celebrated Indian silversmith of all times. The inventiveness and the spotless quality of his works had no rivals in Kutch and his pieces are still sought after worldwide.
Oomersi Mawji was born in Gujarat. Son of a cobbler, he started his career specialising in leather engravings. Soon after 1858 he became a silversmith and his fame rose very quickly: in 1860s he was already court silversmith to the Maharaos of Kutch and the Maharajas of Baroda, two of the most important Indian royal courts.
"Working the silver with ingenious skill and patience, Oomersi Mawji and his sons raised the quality of decoration on Cutch silver to an art form" (Wynyard R. T. Wilkinson, Indian Silver 1858 - 1947: Silver from the Indian Sub-continent and Burma Made by Local Craftsmen in Western Forms, London, 1999, p. 69). The firm’s very high quality silver pieces, often featuring witty and amusing details, became soon very much appreciated overseas, selling through the two branches of Calcutta and Bombay.
In 1878 Oomersi Mawji and his sons participated to the Exposition Universelle in Paris. Their fame grew worldwide and their artworks became very expensive. In London, the brand was retailed by Liberty & Co. and Proctor & Co.
When the father died, around 1890 ca., his sons took over the business, which definitely ceased activity around 1930. Artworks manufactured by Oomersi Mawji are nowadays part of the collections of international museums such as the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
CONDITION
In Great Condition - Wear expected with age. Please refer to photographs.
SIZE
Height: 4cm // 1.57 inches
Diameter: 40cm // 15.75 inches
Weight: 1305g // 41.97 ozt