A rare late 19^th century Anglo – Indian silver bowl, Poona circa 1890 upon an early 20^th century Burmese silver stand, probably Rangoon circa 1910

Raj period, the bowl of rounded circular form with a fold over rim, the sides with chased decoration in demon pattern, of various figures within architraves, also including Burmese Kinnari and Garuda. All interspersed with foliate scrolls and below a band of foliate scrolls. Each flat chased underneath with a stylised rosette. The stand, with a cast figure and support affixed to the bowl, formed as a woman in traditional Burmese dress with her arms raised, the scalloped support to the bowl with embossed vignettes of an owl, lion, peacock, kinnari, rabbit, eagle, stag, tiger, the underside with flat chased foliate scrolls against a ring punched ground. The figure upon a detachable base of domed circular form, the outer section with embossed acanthus leaves, leading to a short cylindrical terrace repeating the flat chased foliate scrolls. Gilt interior to bowl. The bowl rim edge, base of figure, and base footrim with later Finnish import parts for a minimum standard of 813, for Helsinki 1961 by Johan Akseli Tarkiainen and Co (Paavo Tarkiainen).

Height – 25.4 cm / 10 inches

Diameter – 21.5 cm / 8.4 inches

Weight – 1503 grams / 48.32 ozt

This unusual combination of Anglo – Indian silver with Burmese utilises two very interesting aspects of each craft form. This form and decoration of bowl is understood to hail from Poona, an area with a complex array of silverwork, for a pair of bowls so similarly worked to the present example they could feasibly have been produced in the same workshop, sold these rooms 11 Oct 2023, lot 90 (£2750 incl. premium).

A demon pattern bowl is illustrated in Wilkinson, W., (1999)., Indian Silver 1858-1947: Decorative Silver from the Indian Sub-Continent and Burma Made by Local Craftsmen in Western Forms. London, Wynyard R T Wilkinson, p.171 f. 282.

“There are two different types of Poona silverwork, the first was very similar to that of Madras and South India, with representational scenes in high relief divided into sections. This work, usually featured either the Avatara, adventures of Vishnu, or scenes from the Ramayana. The workmanship was invariably of a very high standard, with the figures in higher relief than is found in Madras. The best exponent, who often signed his work was Irappa Buchana.

The second type of Poona silverwork was characterised by a distinctive, bold and fine form of repousse, the chief subjects being in half-relief and the finished product oxidised in order to maximise the dramatic effect of the decoration.” Ibid. p. 169.

The Burmese element is distinguished by using casting to produce the figure, this method of production is associated with Thayetmyo from near contemporary accounts. A pair of silver gilt candlesticks with a cast figure as the support attributed to Thayetmyo for these reasons was sold these rooms, 19 October 2022, lot 383 (£2000 including premium). However, there are a selection of cast figural menu or place card holders that were produced in Rangoon in the early 20^th century, examples of which were sold these rooms 14 Feb 2023, lot 7 (£812 incl. premium), and while cast figural elements with Burmese bowls on stand are found, they are a much rarer form with the bowl section utilizing typical Rangoon features.