Tumbler

Late 19th century Origin: Kashmir Material: Copper with tin plating Design: Shawl-tarah This finely engraved tumbler exemplifies the remarkable dialogue between the Valley's textile and metalworking traditions. Its gently tapering form is enveloped in an uninterrupted field of shawl-tarah ornament, where flowing boteh (paisley) forms intertwine with dense floral scrollwork to create a composition of exceptional rhythm and balance. Unlike bolder engraved vessels, the decoration here relies on delicacy and repetition, rewarding close observation. Executed entirely by hand, the engraving transforms the softness of woven pashmina into metal, preserving the intricate visual language of Kashmir's celebrated shawls. Narrow floral borders at the rim and foot frame the composition, while the surviving patina lends depth to the engraved surface, bearing quiet witness to generations of use. Private collection: Trām and Beyond

Not for Sale