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Vase, Silver, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Southern India, ca. 1870-1890.

REGISTERED ANTIQUITY – NON-EXPORTABLE ITEM.

 

 

Object Detail

 

In Madras, Silver artefacts (began with the craftsmanship of teapots) adorned with images of deities in temple processions, receiving the label of Swami (god) silver. A name referred to a unique style of silverware from Chennai (formerly Madras) during the British rule, characterised by figures of Hindu deities.

 

The form of the vase reflects a tall conical body rising from a circular pedestal and flaring into a rippled mouth that evokes the silhouette of Western Victorian vases, reminiscent of Victorian table ornaments. The vase’s fluted rim introduces a dramatic flourish, akin to lotus petals, which ties it symbolically to concepts of fertility and divinity. The pedestal base, with its concentric ridges and beaded borders, echoes European silverware design, grounding the work in a hybrid aesthetic.

 

Utilising the repoussé technique, the artisans have expertly raised intricate details on the vase. This meticulous metalworking method involves hammering and manipulating the reverse side of a malleable metal sheet to create high-relief designs. The work on the surface showcases finely modelled Hindu deities in different seated postures, each framed within a decorative cartouche. While the missing iconographic attributes hinder precise identification, the four-armed depictions suggest divine significance. Surrounding these figures are delicate foliate scrolls and floral motifs, which not only soften the strict geometry of the vessel but also enhance its visual appeal.

 

Thus, this vase becomes more than a vessel; it is a dialogue in metal. On one hand, it upholds the South Indian tradition of honouring gods through meticulous craftsmanship. On the other hand, it adapts to colonial demands for portable luxury objects that embodied the “authentic” spirit of India. In this duality, the vase captures the tension and creativity of the colonial period, where art became both a continuation of devotion and a reinvention for global trade.

 

 

Provenance

 

From a Private Collection in Mumbai, India.

 

Condition

 

Good Condition with minor wear.

 

Dimension

 

Literature Comparison

 

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

 

2.Dan D’Imperio, The ABCs of Victorian Antiques (Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 2001)

 

3.Ibid. (This is an image of Madras Swami silver bowl, catalogued in author’s book with a lot no. 38)

 

 

 

 

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