Silver & Objets de Vertu

The Fiona Buchanan Indian Silver Collection

24 February 2025

Kier Mulholland

We are delighted to offer a collection of 19th and early 20th-century Indian silver composed over the last twenty years by Fiona Buchanan in our March 2025 auction of Silver & Objets de Vertu.

Despite having an interest in silver and antiques from an early aged, fueled by trips to the bustling Portobello Road and Edinburgh’s small weekly auctions it took some time to fall on her preferred subject, Indian silver. Fiona’s interest was first in this area piqued after discovering a collection of silver at the Midlothian auction house Thomson Roddick & Metcalf in 2007. With a keen eye, Fiona was able to discern that the collection was in fact of Indian origin, and showcased the work of the continent her family knew well, perhaps through osmosis of the stories from her father’s time in India as a Forestry Officer at the beginning of the 20th century.

Silver & Objets de Vertu

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The silver that forms this collection was mainly made for British expatriates during the Raj. Their tastes were taken into consideration and tableware that could be found at home was designed to suit their European styles, directly copying fashions of London and Edinburgh. However, both the craftsmen and the clientele could not help but be influenced by the various styles that each region traditionally offered, and it is this melting pot which makes Indian silver so unusual and unique.

Unlike British silver which is rigorously protected by hallmark laws, the silver of India is vastly inconsistent with regards to the purity of the silver. In the late 19th century much of the silver used was from melted coinage, the rupees of the British raj did have a standard of 91.7% silver but could not always be relied upon, particularly, if for example coinage had been imported from other areas, and a mixed alloy created. Furthermore, the discovered silver in Nevada in North America was also used and shipped on a journey via England where it was refined and then found its way to Bombay, but this too was untested. It must be noted, that, on the other hand, the silverware of the region of Kutch has been analysed and rarely tests less than 96% with some artefacts testing at 98% silver, but this merely confirms the inconsistencies across the country. This purer alloy does have practical advantages meaning the silver is softer to work and create the highly embossed and finely finished designs. Silver as a craft is well regarded and the word in Hindi is derived from moonlight, meaning it has always held spiritual connotations, the respect and care can clearly be seen in the intricate designs, stretching further to those that often portray the Hindu deities.

UNMARKED, BIRD SIGNATURE TO UNDERSIDE

KUTCH - AN INDIAN BOWL

Of squat hemi-spherical form, the repoussé decoration depicting battle jungle scenes to the body with a floral and foliate border, the underside with engraved bird signature

19.5cm diameter, 12cm high 19.5oz

£600 - £800 + fees

The collection highlights feature silver from the main regions of Lucknow, Madras, Kashmir, Kutch and Calcutta.

UNMARKED, CIRCA 1900

TEA SERVICE

The style of Lucknow silverware can be mainly be identified by that of jungle scenes, coriander flowers, hunting scenes, and village life. Furthermore a fish motif taken from the Royal Coat of Arms of the Nawabs of Lucknow is another indication of stylistic origin.

The Muslim Mughal rulers, the Nawabs had employed silversmiths in their courts prior to the British Raj rule of the 1850s and thus their work continued, but with some British influences and influences from other regions under the British raj. One key identifier is unlike the British hallmark, the silversmith presents their mark as an ornate depiction to the underside of the piece, sometimes an engraved or chased animal or organic motif.

£800 - £1,200

Hamilton & Co are amongst the most recognisable names in Indian Colonial silver and were making many of the finest examples still extant of this fascinating period. Their style very much follows that of the British forms they left behind and while they do integrate and meld with local craftsmen and decoration it is there classically George III simple silver that is most commonly encountered. The business was initially set up by Robert Hamilton who had arrived in India and set up as a Jeweller in Tank Square by 1808. He enters into partnership with Henry Glazbrook (who had arrived in 1810) and James Glazbrook (who had arrived in 1811) in 1811 creating what would become on of the most successful silversmith business in the Empire.

HAMILTON & CO., CALCUTTA, CIRCA 1934

CALCUTTA - AN INDIAN PRESENTATION SUGAR CANE SCROLL CASE

Modelled as a sugar cane, with engraved presentation inscription to centre ‘PRESENTED TO HIS EXCELLENCY SIR MALCOLM HAILEY G.C.S.J G.C.J.E GOVERNOR OF THE UNITED PROVINCES BY THE DIRECTOR’S THE RAZA SUGAR COY LTD. RAMPUR ON THE OCCASION OF THE INAUGURAL CEREMONY 25TH JANUARY 1934', the pull-off lid to a gilt interior

29cm long, 5oz

The Raza Buland Sugar Factory, was established in 1930 and operational by 1932, with their inaugural ceremony being held on the 25th January 1934

£400 - £600 + fees

HAMILTON & CO, OF CALCUTTA, MID 20TH CENTURY

CALCUTTA - A CASED INDIAN TEA CHEST / TEA CADDY

Modelled as a tea chest, inscribed "Presented to Mr D R Morris on his retirement from India by his many friends in Assam 4th April 1959" also a map of India, "Pure India Tea" and many signatures with presentation case

17cm high

£1,000 - £2,000 + fees

The seven principal regions with hybrid Indian decoration which are mentioned in Wynyard Wilkinson’s seminal publication The Silver Manufactures of India 1858–1947, are as follows; Bombay, Burma, Calcutta, Cutch, Kashmir, Lucknow and Madras. Within Fiona’s collection, Madras and Calcutta feature more with examples from well-renowned firms, Lattey Bros, Pittar & Co and even an example from the sometimes mistaken maker William Twentyman.

WILLIAM HENRY TWENTYMAN, MID 19TH CENTURY

CALCUTTA - AN INDIAN EGG EPERGNE

Of circular form, loop handle, the plain egg cups with a threaded border, raised on a circular foot, with six associated British hallmarked spoons, of Fiddle pattern, engraved motif to terminals

32.5cm high, 34.5oz (gross weight)

William Henry Twentyman working in Calcutta mark and name is seen to many fine examples of Colonial Indian silver made in a British style.

£400 - £600 + fees

Due to his very ‘British style’ of design and manufacture William Henry Twentyman’s work for many years was often confused as a Scottish provincial maker. In many early exhibition, books and sale catalogues work by the ‘unknown WHT’ was attributed to Greenock, presumably due to the use of an anchor mark on many of his pieces.

Madras makers such as P. Orr and Smith & Kelvey have also been included in the collection.

COOKE & KELVEY, LATE 19TH CENTURY

MADRAS - A LARGE INDIAN PRESENTATION WATER JUG

Of baluster outline, angular handle, gilt lining, the neck with engraved Greek Key border, wave border engraved to the base, engraved presentation inscription to the body 'BARRACKPORE RACES 1877/ THE PARK PLATE STEEPLECHASE/ WON BY Mr. THOMASS B.W.G. “THE CID”/ RIDDEN BY Mr. Y.B. HAMILTON

22.5cm high, 33.5oz

£1,500 - £2,500 + fees

The partnership of Cook & Kelvey Calcutta, was formed by Robert Thomas Cooke who had been apprentice (or assistant) to Hamilton & Co from 1853 before opening in his own right in 1858 as a jeweller. In 1859 he joins with Charles Kelvey who since 1855 had worked with Charles Nephew & Co. The partnership proved successful, and they would work together till 1881, however the firm would continue to modern times.

But it is the regions lesser well-known such as Alwar and Poona which show the artisan silversmithing skills more. 

SIGNED BY PANNA LAL, LATE 19TH CENTURY

ALWAR - A RARE INDIAN BOWL

Of hemi-spherical form, finely engraved tigers, antelope and a camel to the body in jungle setting, foliate borders, to the underside engraved with a flower motif and in Urdu, the maker’s name ‘Sahib/sahaab Panna Lal Karkhana Alwar.’

10.7cm diameter, 5cm high, 4oz

Silver from the region of Alwar is particularly sought after. First and foremost, the silver alloy used was predominantly pure and so soft meaning the pieces need to be of a thicker gauge for the intricate engraved detail.

£1,200 - £1,500 + fees

But it is the regions lesser well-known such as Alwar and Poona which show the artisan silversmithing skills more.

‘I was at first attracted by the simplicity of the early nineteenth century European influenced pieces but over the years have started to increasingly appreciate indigenous Indian designs.’

Fiona Buchanan, 2024

SILVER SPECIALIST

Meet Kier

DEPARTMENT

Silver & Objets de Vertu

LOCATION

Edinburgh

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