20th Jun, 2024 11:00
Arts of India and the Islamic Lands
173
A COMMEMORATIVE ANGLO-INDIAN SILVER SCROLL AND HANDKERCHIEF FROM THE BURMAH OIL COMPANY
Kutch, Gujarat, Western India and Vizagapatam, Andhra Pradesh, Eastern India, ca. 1930
A COMMEMORATIVE ANGLO-INDIAN SILVER SCROLL AND HANDKERCHIEF PRESENTED TO W. M. CHRISPIN ESQ. BY THE VIZAGAPATAM DIVISIONAL OFFICE OF THE BURMAH OIL COMPANY (1886 - 2000)
The scroll, Kutch, Gujarat, Western India, and the handkerchief, Vizagapatam, Andhra Pradesh, Eastern India, ca. 1930
Comprising an elongated cylindrical commemorative repoussé and chased silver scroll, resting on a pair of crossed bamboo-shaped silver legs on a plain wooden base, the scroll chased in relief with tapering ends with flower heads terminating in rounded pommels, only one side opening, the exterior profusely decorated with iconic Kutch silver spraying vegetal meanderings and floral sprays on a matted, ring-punched ground, in the centre of the scroll a lobed dedicatory cartouche reading 'Presented to W. M. Chrispin Esqr., Burmah - Shell by the Agents & Staff of Vizagapatam Divisional Area', unmarked, the silver scroll 5.3cm diam. and 30.5cm long, 589gr., the wooden base 32.5cm x 15.5cm; and the accompanying commemorative block-printed cream-coloured silk handkerchief, dated 3rd April 1934 in Vizagapatam, with a touching personal message of farewell from the local Burmah - Shell Oil Storage and Distribution division to Chrispin Esq. and a welcoming note to his successor, Mr. W. L. Clarke, 36cm x 26.5cm.
Founded in 1886 by the Scottish East India merchant, David Sime Cargill, the Burmah Oil Company, also known as Burmah - Shell, and post-1966 Burmah - Castrol, is remembered as a leading British oil company active in the late 19th and early 20th century. Mr. Cargill was also the founder of the Rangoon Oil Company Ltd., but at the end of the 19th century, his economic interests led him to consider an expansion towards the Indian Subcontinent and a further development of oil fields in the area. Closely affiliated with the Anglo-Persian Oil Company founded in 1909, the Burmah Oil Company played a major role in the oil industry of the British Raj and even after, being instrumental in the discovery of oil in the Middle East.
This repoussé silver scroll is an important witness of the British Raj reality and industry in the first half of the 20th century. Besides its role in revealing the underlying importance of multi-cultural relations between Indians and British officials, this lot also showcases how certain Indian artistic centres renowned for their crafts, such as Kutch for silver, Vizagapatam and Hoshiarpur for marquetry-inlaid furniture, and Jaipur for enamels, became known to be the most desirable by Westerners and thus, better suited for special commemorative and honorary gifts in relevant commercial and diplomatic circumstances. The decorative pattern and design of this silver scroll seem to link it almost unequivocally to the famous silversmithing centre of Kutch in Gujarat, Western India. At any rate, Vizagapatam, where the handkerchief was produced and the regional division of Burmah - Shell was located, is situated on the opposite side of the Indian Subcontinent, on the Eastern coast of Andhra Pradesh. What this tells us is that such beloved Anglo-Indian items would be purchased and travel great distances to fulfill their task of objects of wonder and souvenirs gifted to important board members of British companies settled in India.
A COMMEMORATIVE ANGLO-INDIAN SILVER SCROLL AND HANDKERCHIEF PRESENTED TO W. M. CHRISPIN ESQ. BY THE VIZAGAPATAM DIVISIONAL OFFICE OF THE BURMAH OIL COMPANY (1886 - 2000)
The scroll, Kutch, Gujarat, Western India, and the handkerchief, Vizagapatam, Andhra Pradesh, Eastern India, ca. 1930
Comprising an elongated cylindrical commemorative repoussé and chased silver scroll, resting on a pair of crossed bamboo-shaped silver legs on a plain wooden base, the scroll chased in relief with tapering ends with flower heads terminating in rounded pommels, only one side opening, the exterior profusely decorated with iconic Kutch silver spraying vegetal meanderings and floral sprays on a matted, ring-punched ground, in the centre of the scroll a lobed dedicatory cartouche reading 'Presented to W. M. Chrispin Esqr., Burmah - Shell by the Agents & Staff of Vizagapatam Divisional Area', unmarked, the silver scroll 5.3cm diam. and 30.5cm long, 589gr., the wooden base 32.5cm x 15.5cm; and the accompanying commemorative block-printed cream-coloured silk handkerchief, dated 3rd April 1934 in Vizagapatam, with a touching personal message of farewell from the local Burmah - Shell Oil Storage and Distribution division to Chrispin Esq. and a welcoming note to his successor, Mr. W. L. Clarke, 36cm x 26.5cm.
Founded in 1886 by the Scottish East India merchant, David Sime Cargill, the Burmah Oil Company, also known as Burmah - Shell, and post-1966 Burmah - Castrol, is remembered as a leading British oil company active in the late 19th and early 20th century. Mr. Cargill was also the founder of the Rangoon Oil Company Ltd., but at the end of the 19th century, his economic interests led him to consider an expansion towards the Indian Subcontinent and a further development of oil fields in the area. Closely affiliated with the Anglo-Persian Oil Company founded in 1909, the Burmah Oil Company played a major role in the oil industry of the British Raj and even after, being instrumental in the discovery of oil in the Middle East.
This repoussé silver scroll is an important witness of the British Raj reality and industry in the first half of the 20th century. Besides its role in revealing the underlying importance of multi-cultural relations between Indians and British officials, this lot also showcases how certain Indian artistic centres renowned for their crafts, such as Kutch for silver, Vizagapatam and Hoshiarpur for marquetry-inlaid furniture, and Jaipur for enamels, became known to be the most desirable by Westerners and thus, better suited for special commemorative and honorary gifts in relevant commercial and diplomatic circumstances. The decorative pattern and design of this silver scroll seem to link it almost unequivocally to the famous silversmithing centre of Kutch in Gujarat, Western India. At any rate, Vizagapatam, where the handkerchief was produced and the regional division of Burmah - Shell was located, is situated on the opposite side of the Indian Subcontinent, on the Eastern coast of Andhra Pradesh. What this tells us is that such beloved Anglo-Indian items would be purchased and travel great distances to fulfill their task of objects of wonder and souvenirs gifted to important board members of British companies settled in India.
Auction: Arts of India and the Islamic Lands, 20th Jun, 2024
After much anticipation, Azca Auctions is delighted to announce their inaugural sale, Arts of India and the Islamic Lands, taking place on Thursday 20th June at 11.00am BST.
The sale comprises over 250 lots showcasing the extraordinary diversity and celebrating the artistic craftsmanship of South, Southeast and Central Asia, as well as the Iranian plateau, the Middle East all the way to the Mediterranean shores.
This longed-for, inaugural auction opens with a remarkable Northern London private collection of Indian artefacts, previously unseen in the market. “An Eye for Detail” is meant to illustrate not only the artistic achievements and talents of Indian craftsmen, but also the multi-faceted cultural and religious reality the Indian Subcontinent managed to foster and keep alive throughout centuries. Three generations of collecting collide into a very personal, subjective and unusual selections of tools, vessels, paintings, accessories, photographs and decorative lots that range from £150 to £6,000 GBP, offering a chance to both seasoned buyers and new collectors to make their pick.
Following the private collection selection, the remaining 150 lots are divided between the Arts of South Asia and the Arts of the Islamic Lands, two worlds that, despite their substantial geographic distances, have always been tightly interlinked. Among the highlights, one can count a selection of eight official courtly album portraits of Mughal Emperors (lot 164); a large Qajar polychrome-painted moulded pottery tile with a banquet scene replicating the Safavid frescoes of the Chihil Sotun Palace in Isfahan (lot 206); and lastly, an elegant and intact 16th-century Ottoman Iznik plate with saz leaves and arabesques (lot 262).
Dive into a world of wonders and for any specific query, please do not hesitate to contact our Head of Department, Beatrice Campi at beatrice@azcaauctions.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
Viewing
Viewing will take place at the following address:
Metro Building, 8th Floor
1 Butterwick
London, W6 8DL
