An Indian gold inlay annd green enamel desk writing box
64
A Thewa writing box
Pratabgarh, Rajasthan, 19th century
Silver and engraved gold foiled-green enamel; the top panel with two scenes of Shiva making an offering to the goddess flanking a central Gajalakshmi, framed by panels of peacocks and figures spaced by vases issuing floral sprays. The base panels consist of scenes taken from ragamalas and the worship of Ganesha in the center front, the interior is gilded with a waved divider, and small inkwell with decorated lid.
8 3/8 x 3 x 2 in (21.6 x 7.7 x 5.1 cm)
Estimate:
US$ 10,000 - 15,000
£6,400 - 9,600
€7,500 - 11,000

Footnotes

  • The ancient town of Pratabgarh near Udaipur was home to this unique form of applying gold to foiled back enamel. Articles of European style and function, such as the present lot, were popular luxury items for visiting Europeans in the 19th century.

    A very close example from the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection is in the Victoria and Albert Museum, 518-2008. Also see, Oppi Untracht, Traditional Jewelery of India London, 1997, p.301 for an illustration of a similar Thewa-work.

    Provenance:
    Ganeshi Lall, Agra 1936, ref #4883
    F. Bailey Vanderhoef Collection
    Private Collection, USA

Category: Asian Art / Southeast Asian, Indian and Himalayan Art

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Contacts

Mark Rasmussen Bonhams
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Specialist - Southeast Asian, Indian and Himalayan Art
Edward Wilkinson Bonhams
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FaxFax: + 323 850 5843
Specialist - Southeast Asian, Indian and Himalayan Art