ANTIQUE 19thC INDIAN KUTCH SOLID SILVER MUG, OOMERSI MAWJI BHUJ c.1890
Antique 19th Century Indian Kutch (Cutch) solid silver mug. This exceptionally fine tapered mug is finely decorated throughout with intricate floral repoussé work set against a finely matted background, showcasing the remarkable skill and attention to detail.. The decoration extends across the entire surface in a harmonious display of botanical motifs, woven with scenes drawn from the dramatic and symbolic world of nature. Most striking are two dynamic and finely chased narrative vignettes: one depicting a lion in the act of taking down an antelope, and the other featuring an elephant overpowering a tiger. These scenes are not merely decorative but evoke themes of strength, dominance, and the eternal cycle of life in the wild — these themes often seen in the finest works of Oomersii Mawji.
Hallmarked on base OM BHUJ (Oomersii Mawji).
Reference Number: A11063
Antique 19th Century Indian Kutch (Cutch) solid silver mug. This exceptionally fine tapered mug is finely decorated throughout with intricate floral repoussé work set against a finely matted background, showcasing the remarkable skill and attention to detail.. The decoration extends across the entire surface in a harmonious display of botanical motifs, woven with scenes drawn from the dramatic and symbolic world of nature. Most striking are two dynamic and finely chased narrative vignettes: one depicting a lion in the act of taking down an antelope, and the other featuring an elephant overpowering a tiger. These scenes are not merely decorative but evoke themes of strength, dominance, and the eternal cycle of life in the wild — these themes often seen in the finest works of Oomersii Mawji.
Hallmarked on base OM BHUJ (Oomersii Mawji).
Reference Number: A11063
Antique 19th Century Indian Kutch (Cutch) solid silver mug. This exceptionally fine tapered mug is finely decorated throughout with intricate floral repoussé work set against a finely matted background, showcasing the remarkable skill and attention to detail.. The decoration extends across the entire surface in a harmonious display of botanical motifs, woven with scenes drawn from the dramatic and symbolic world of nature. Most striking are two dynamic and finely chased narrative vignettes: one depicting a lion in the act of taking down an antelope, and the other featuring an elephant overpowering a tiger. These scenes are not merely decorative but evoke themes of strength, dominance, and the eternal cycle of life in the wild — these themes often seen in the finest works of Oomersii Mawji.
Hallmarked on base OM BHUJ (Oomersii Mawji).
Reference Number: A11063
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Adding to the piece’s character is its realistically modelled handle, crafted in the form of a lizard with an arched back, its limbs and tail gracefully integrated into the overall design. The lizard’s textured skin and naturalistic posture further enhance the tactile and visual appeal of the mug, while also suggesting symbolic meanings such as agility, regeneration, and protection.
The overall composition demonstrates not only technical virtuosity but also a rich narrative quality, making this piece a superb collector’s item that reflects both artistic refinement and cultural storytelling.
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: 12cm // 4.72 inches
Width: 10.5cm // 4.13 inches
Depth: 9cm // 3.54 inches
Weight: 246.3 grams // 7.92 ozt