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Diwan Bahadur P. Somasundram Chettiar
1928, Madras, India
Material Marble Dimensions Width: 85 cm Height: 168 cm Depth: 110 cm Sculpted in white marble, perhaps Carrara, it depicts an important Indian nobleman, Diwan Bahadur P. Somasundram Chettiar - founder The Kaleeswarar Mills LTD, Coimbatore - wearing a number of decorations. Measuring 85 cm x 110 cm x h. 168 cm, the piece was produced and is signed "BY M.S. NAGAPPA, MADRAS, 1928", one of the most import... read more ![]() |
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Chini khāna
17th century, India
Material Red sandstone Dimensions Width: 59 cm Height: 89 cm Depth: 4 cm This skilfully carved panel holds, inside a mihrāb, or niche, eight registers produced in fretwork, of different shapes and sizes, in which the outlines of a number of pitchers, a vase and lidded cups can be made out. The decoration is a pleasant balance of shape, an agreeable combination of engraved levels and profiles which evoke ... read more ![]() |
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Jali, caesura panel
18th century, India
Material White marble Dimensions Width: 91 cm Height: 146 cm Depth: 7 cm Rare white marble panel used as a decorative element in Indo-Persian architecture. The friezes have been carved from a single block of stone, and feature a high quality, deeply engraved pattern on both sides. The elegant, well-balanced linear interlacing of the geometric motifs deceives the monotony of the line in favour of a grating... read more ![]() |
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Jali, caesura panel
18th century, India
Material Red sandstone Dimensions Width: 100 cm Height: 133 cm Depth: 6 cm Rare sandstone panel used in Indo-Persian architecture as a caesura element for the zenani-dyodhī, the part of the house reserved for women of Islamic religion and culture. The friezes have been carved from a single block of stone, and feature a high quality, deeply engraved fretwork pattern on both sides. The decoration develops in... read more ![]() |
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Padmapāni
12th century, Bihar, India
Material Grey schist Dimensions Width: 32 cm Height: 49 cm Depth: 16 cm Padmapāni is one of the most common epithets for Avalokiteshvara, Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion. The deity is standing in the tribhanga position or triple pose on a lotus. Her right hand indicates the sign for charity and compassion, or varada mudra. The left is holding a lotus flower, padma, her distinctive symbol. Her f... read more ![]() |
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Ganesh
India, Bihar, 13th century
Material Black stone Dimensions Width: 36 cm Height: 58 cm Depth: 17 cm Ganesh is the god depicted as a pot-bellied human being with an elephant’s head. As Nrtta Ganapati, he dances on a lotus flower-shaped base, wearing a yajnopavita, the sacrificial garment symbolising the birth of the spirit. The dance is the prototype of the activity of the creation of the universe. Ganesh is the god of wisdom and ... read more ![]() |
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Krishna
18th century, Orissa, India
Material Bronze alloy Height: 19 cm The god is cross-legged, holding a flute in his arms. The base is formed of a lotus flower. The bronze has clear signs of abrasion due to repeated worshipping rituals. read more ![]() |
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Parsvanatha
Jain altar, dating under study, India
Material Bronze alloy with silver and copper Dimensions Width: 14 cm Height: 21 cm Depth: 7.5 cm Jain altar, cire perdue casting. The figure in the centre is Parsvanatha seated in meditation on simhasana, the lions' throne. Parsvanatha is depicted under Dharanendra, his yaksha and the king of snakes. The seven-headed reptile protects his meditation. There are two figures seated on either side of the lion-like throne. The female ... read more ![]() |
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Rama
India, 18th century
Material Bronze alloy Rama, the king of Ayodhya and the hero of the Hindu epic Ramayana read more ![]() |
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Serfoji II Rajah of Tanjore
India, 19th century
Material Ivory Width: 17 cm Height: 21.5 cm The portrait of Serfoji II, Rajah of Tanjore, (1798-1832) is set on an ivory lamina and engraved in bas-relief. Seated on a European-style seat, he holds his sword in his left hand. Sumptuously dressed, his clothes are completely embroidered, and jewels decorate his chest, arms, hands and turban. The handle of a knife studded with je... read more ![]() |
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Maharajah Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV
India, 19th century
Material Ivory, rosewood frame Width: 16 cm Height: 26 cm This valuable bas-relief was produced by carving a thick ivory lamina. A young Rāja is standing beside a small table, on which there is a precious table clock. At the top of this European style clock, is the full-relief depiction of two Indian noblemen intent on conversing. A dog is peeping out from underneath the table making the s... read more ![]() |
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Serfoji II, Rajah of Tanjore
India, 19th century
Material Ivory Height: 22,5 cm Depth: 19,5 cm This ivory plaque depicts the Rajah of Tanjore Sefoj II whilst out riding. The scene is realistic and extremely detailed. The paving, the movement of the horse and the twisting bust of the Rajah give the image elegant dynamism. read more ![]() |
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Katār with tools
1878-9 A. D. (samvat 1936
Material Steel with gold Height: 47 cm This Katār has a damasked, triple concave blade with cross grooves, a reinforced tip and gold inscriptions on the tang. Typical steel hilt, completely damascened in gold with plant shoots and twirls, with perforated crosspieces featuring floral motifs. The sheath, made of wood covered in green material has a steel tip and contains s... read more ![]() |
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Pesh kabz
India, 18th century
Material Steel with gold Height: 28 cm This top quality pesh-kabz is in excellent condition. The handle is decorated with three floral scroll ornaments in gold on each side. The decoration depicts a bird, perhaps a parrot, framed with a plant motif, near the point where the handle joins the blade. The blade has an elegant silhouette, but becomes stronger and wider at the ... read more ![]() |
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Katār with Durga
India, 18th century
Material Steel with gold Height: 39 cm The katār, has a sturdy, straight, double-edged triangular damasked wootz blade, the tip of which has been reinforced. A triangular register has been engraved on both sides of the blade, depicting a figure in bas-relief with details in gold “agemina”, emerging from a flower blooming from floral latticework which ends in a point.... read more ![]() |
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Khanjar
17th century, India
Material Jade, wootz steel Height: 38 cm This splendid, rare khanjar dagger has a pistol-shaped jade hilt. The double-edged, straight wootz steel blade is slightly curved at the tip. A stylised floral motif originates from the ricasso, engraved on both sides of the blade. The plant decoration ennobles the sturdy central veining, and the engraved handle and elegant floral de... read more ![]() |
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Hatchet with pistol
India, 18th century
Material Iron and silver Width: 53 cm Steel blade with brass fretwork body featuring contrasting figures of horses, and volutes. Fastened to the frame by means of a nerved, square, ribbed gouge, with cusps set back to front. Completely damascened iron handle in silver with plant shoots, on the spherical pommel base which can be unscrewed to reveal a short dagger housed i... read more ![]() |
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Khanjar, dagger
India, 18th century
Material Brass alloy The khanjar comes from southern India. It has a double-curved, double-edged blade, and the top of the handle ends with a bird head. read more ![]() |
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"Pan" box
18th century, India
Material Enamelled silver Dimensions Width: 8 cm Height: 5.5 cm Depth: 6 cm Linked to the consumption of betel leaves, more commonly known as pan, a natural astringent and digestive used both privately and for religious, domestic and public rituals, this silver, rectangular container, or pandan, has a slightly curved lid. Probably of Muslim origin, the well-balanced geometric interlacing and elegant play of ... read more ![]() |
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Pāndān, jade Mughal box
India, late 17th century
Material Engraved jade Dimensions Width: 15 cm Height: 18.5 cm Depth: 11.5 cm This oval Mughal box is made from nephrite of rare transparency. Its lobatures have been enriched with engraved, gold-plated flowers, emphasizing its proportional harmony. The container is made of an incredibly transparent nephrite. The sides are extremely thin, and the ribbing between the lobies carved perfectly. The twelve engraved... read more ![]() |
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Sarpech, turban ornament
18th century, India
Material Enamelled silver Height: 10.5 cm The surface of this elegant, silver turban ornament is engraved and glazed. At the top, an open flower features semi-precious stones mounted using the kundan technique. A bird acts as a support and holds a small ring in its beak, from which a number of river pearls hang. The eyes and crown on its head have been produced using garnets... read more ![]() |
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Sadeli box
Bombay, India, 1860-80
Material Sandalwood and ivory Dimensions Width: 28 cm Height: 7,5 cm Depth: 11,5 cm Made of sandalwood, the exterior of the box features parquetry of ivory and sadeli with designs of triangles, diamonds, circles and half circles set within borders of sadeli, ebony and ivory, with brass lock and hinges. The interior of the hinged lid is inlaid at the centre with a sadeli circle surrounded by four smaller circles. CI... read more ![]() |
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Vizagapatam box
Vizagapatam, India, 1790 ca.
Material Ivory and ebony Dimensions Width: 42 cm Height: 19 cm Depth: 23 cm This box has been veneered and engraved with ivory, then embellished with lacquer in a foliate motif. The same decoration appears on the front of the drawer. This charming box is a highly decorative example of the skill of the ivory engravers working towards the end of the 18th c.. The fashion for ivory veneering began in Vizagapatam... read more ![]() |
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Sadeli box
Bombay, India, 1860-80
Material Ivory and sandalwood Dimensions Width: 29,4 cm Height: 6,2 cm Depth: 11,4 cm Made of sandalwood, the exterior of the box features parquetry of ivory and sadeli with designs of triangles, diamonds, circles and half circles within borders of sadeli, ebony and ivory, with brass lock and hinges. The interior of the hinged lid is covered in orange velvet. CITES certificate read more ![]() |