Serving Tray

19th Century Origin: Kashmir Provenance: Europe Material: Copper This remarkable Kashmiri copper tray takes the form of a stylised Chinar leaf, transforming one of Kashmir's most enduring natural and cultural symbols into an elaborate piece of metalwork. Its broad, deeply lobed silhouette follows the characteristic outline of the Chinar leaf, while the surface is treated as a field for exceptionally intricate engraving and chasing for which Kashmiri copperware is renowned. Dense floral and foliate arabesques fill the central body, while pierced bands trace the contours of the leaf and create a delicate contrast between solid copper and openwork. The outer serrated edge further reinforces the visual impression of a highly stylised leaf. The most unusual feature, however, is the serpent-shaped handle emerging from the lower portion of the tray. The serpent is not merely an applied handle but forms an integral part of the object's sculptural conception, its elongated body rising into the richly decorated leaf. The juxtaposition of the botanical form of the Chinar and the sinuous form of the serpent creates an especially compelling union of two recurring elements in Kashmiri decorative art. The piece belongs to a tradition in which Kashmiri craftsmen translated the visual vocabulary of the valley into copper through hammer, chisel and engraving. The tray is also significant for the way in which functional metalwork becomes almost sculptural. Private collection - Trām and Beyond

Not for Sale