A PAIR OF BIDRI SILVER-INLAID CANDLESTICKS AND TWO VASES
Bidar, Deccan, Central India, 19th century

Comprising a pair of candlesticks, each of typical shape, resting on a flat circular base with slightly everted rim, the exterior covered in silver-inlaid decoration, consisting of a band of blooming rosette stems and an outer band of leaves to the base, the rosette motif repeated on the pyriform body, flanked by bands of geometric design, and further leaves, 16cm high and 14.5cm diam.; a vase of bulbous pyriform shape resting on a flared foot and rising to a ringed neck, the exterior decorated with a drop-shaped grid filled with stylised rosettes, flanked by a band of diamonds, to the shoulders a band of scrolling rosettes and leaves, the grid motif repeated in a single band to the neck, a band of tear-drops to the rim, 20.3cm high; and another vase of compressed pyriform shape, resting on a short flared foot, the silver-inlaid decoration consisting of a band of boteh (paisley leaves) infilled with stylised three-flower stems and vegetation, framed by double bands of flowers and leaves extending from the point of the boteh leaf, further floral and vegetal bands to the lower neck and a simpler band of boteh above, small tear-drop shapes to the rim, 22.7cm high.