baluster and with ivory-insulated lizard cast handle, the neck chased with foliage scrolls and flowers populated by birds and on a matted ground, the lower body chased with fruiting grapevines on a matted ground, centring eight medallions, four with foliage scrolls and four with scenes of animals, comprising a lion attacking a deer; two leopards attacking a horse, with the fallen rider underneath; a lion attacking an elephant and a leopard attacking a man, with acanthus borders, the hinged cover similarly decorated and with a lion cast finial
25cm high, gross weight 26oz 19dwt, 838gr

Both Raghavji Mawjee (Mawji) and Oomersee Mawjee (Mawji) are known to have used versions of the distinctive cast lizard handle as on the present jug. The former for example produced a three-piece tea-service in the typical Kutch-style with lizard handles. On that example, however, the insulators run through the legs of the lizard rather than through the body as on the present example (from the collection of Harish K Patel, see http://silverfromindia1850-1920.blogspot.com/p/indian-silver-from-kutch-gujarat.html). Raghavji also uses the same motif on a drawing for a two-handled cup and cover which also includes similar animal scenes to those here, which are a recurring theme in the work of both Mawjee silversmiths. Another example, perhaps more comparably to this hot-water jug, is a wine-jug by Oomersee from the collection of the British Museum (museum number 2011,3014.74).

With non-transferable standard ivory exemption declaration number EHHQKQ93.

Additional Image Courtesy Harish K. Patel Collection, http://silverfromindia1850-1920.blogspot.com/