Indian Metalwork

A Tabarzin, Indian saddle-axe from Bikaner, 19th century Indian, 19th century Measures: height 56cm, width 12.5cm, depth 4cm This magnificent piece is a tabarzin, a battle saddle-axe, made in North West India in Bikaner sometime in the early nineteenth century. The head of the axe is engraved with intricate floral motifs, the handle superbly decorated with an ornate chased gilt pattern along its length. Dense and beautiful floral scroll patterns line its length, and the base unscrews to reveal a stunning hidden dagger, that is approximately a third of the axe's length. Pieces such as these are Indo-Persian, heavily indebted to Persian tabar axes, and comparable examples are to be found in the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and in the Wallace Collection, London. A remarkable item of military history...

This large and highly decorative cup is supported on a domed base. The stem is formed as two intertwined snakes, which terminate as handles, the snakeheads peeping over the rim. It i...

Pair of Votive Silver Cow Figures – Rajasthan, 19th to Early 20th Century Provenance: Rajasthan, India Date: 19th to early 20th century Material: Solid silver This rare pair of voti...

Fine antique (19th century) Indo-Persian steel dish or salver in the form of overlapping grape leaves with damascene and koftgari silver inlay and gilded designs and brass overlay re...

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Indian silver beaker; an addition to our range of drinks related silverware This exceptional, fine and impressive antique Indian silver beaker has a cylindrical tapering form. The surface of the antique silver beaker...

An exceptional, rare and impressive antique Indian silver two handled tea tray, an addition to our Asian silverware collection. This exceptional antique Indian silver tray...

Antique Asian Mughal Indian betel nut cutters crafted in bronze, specifically designed for cutting betel palm, seeds, areca nuts, and dry fruits. This meticulously handcrafted collec...

Mughal dynasty gold and gem encrusted Spinach jade dagger having a dark green pistol grip, inlaid with gold, ruby and sapphire applied rosettes to either s...

Mughal Islamic Indo Persian red copper footed bowl, of compressed hemispherical shape, resting on a splayed conical foot, with slightly everted rim,...

This large and impressive polished brass jardiere or twin handled urn is highly decorative. It is hand worked in reclaimed sheet brass which originally came from some large German br...

An antique Indian brass vessel from the 19th century with abundant etched foliage decor and weathered patina. This 19th-century antique Indian bra...

A late-19th century Mughal Indian oversized Mughal Indian brass bottle urn. A sleek, elegant brass vessel, fluted neck, with cap. Lucknow circa ...

A set of three antique Indian metal vessels from the 19th century with weathered patina. Each of the three antique metal pots feature narrow necks t...

An Indian antique brass water jug from the 19th century, with calligraphy. Created in India during the 19th century, this brass water jug features...

Indian Bidri Hookah Base, decorated with floral patterns and folliage. India, Bidri ware, 19th century. In fairly good condition, worn due to age (see images). Dimensions: 16 cm. ...

Antique Brass Betel Nut Cutter with chiseled decoration - India 19thc Antique - Asian decoration Measures : 8cmx15cm Antique Brass Betel Nut Cutter from India Collectible Asian Arti...

A medium sized antique cast brass measuring bowl from northern India. High relief casting, bundled rope maker's mark on the bottom. Bronze rice-mea...

An exquisitely carved silver fan holder, India, late 19th century.

Brass & Wood Hindu Head Lamp with Jewel Detail A striking fusion of spiritual artistry and functional design, this singular Hindu head lamp is crafted in b...

An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Indian silver card case; an addition to our diverse Asian silverware collection This fine antique Indian silver card case has a shaped rectangular form. The anterior surface of this case is embellished with a fine and impressive chased decorated panel depicting a scene with four characters in a boat above a shaped cartouche displaying the contemporary bright cut engraved initials ‘EH’. The reverse surface is ornamented with a chased decorated panel illustrating a male and female character in period Asian dress clasping each other under a tree canopy. The shaped sides and border to both the anterior and reverse surfaces are plain and unembellished. This antique silver card case is fitted with a hinged cover. Condition This fine antique solid silver card...

Thepair of metal Mughal horse stirrups with silver inlay, dating back to the 19th century, are astriking example of equestrian equipment reflecting the ar...

Northern India or Deccan, late 19th century L. approx. 82 cm (excl. stand) Provenance: Private collection, United Kingdom This remarkable gilt-silver soonta (ceremonial sceptre) also known as choba (ceremonial mace) with a tiger's head stands out as an unparalleled example. It has a wooden base, clad with thick sheet part-gilt silver and has fine details such as teeth and a curling tongue. Especially with the inlaid glass eyes, in combination with the grand sculptural design, it would have been integral to an Indian maharaja’s attire, known as lawajama in North India and biruthus in South India, as referenced by Jackson & Jaffer. They would symbolise authority, power, and sometimes an attribute of various deities, particularly those associated with strength or combat. For instance, the Hindu god Hanuman, known for his immense strength, is often depicted holding a mace (*chob* or gada in Sanskrit). Similarly, the god Vishnu and his avatar Krishna are also frequently depicted with a mace among their other attributes. Courtiers would raise these sceptres wrapped in rich brocades, with the head visible, during processions, signalling their association with the monarch. Alongside fly-whisks and standards, they were indispensable in ceremonial parades, underscoring the ruler's prestige. Terlinden notes that a soonta berdar was tasked with carrying the sceptre. These individuals, proficient in courtly manners, played key roles during audiences, from managing entrances to introducing guests. Their esteemed position often earned them generous rewards, including land grants. See for a depiction of sceptres in use the top right of a painting in the collection of the V&A, titled Processional scene with Amar Singh, ruler of Thanjavur (Tanjore), and Sarabhoji, from circa 1797. For a very comparable piece, but with an elephant’s head, see the collection of the Indian Museum, Kolkata. For other less similar examples, see the V&A Museum London. Sources: A. Jackson & A. Jaffer, Maharaja: The Splendour of India’s Royal Courts, London, V&A Publishing, 1999 Christiane Terlinden Serra, Mughal Silver...

This fascinating piece dates from the 19th century in India, where it was used as a water base for a hookah, or shisha pipe. In traditional hookah smoking, the base of the pipe is no...

Antique Indian Hindu Bronze Sculpture – Krishna with Flute (18th Century) A captivating and finely crafted antique bronze figure depicting Lord Krishna, rendered in the distinctive ...