Enamelware

Enamelwork in Kashmir represents a confluence of metal and colour. Applied to copper, brass or silver surfaces, vitreous enamel was fused through heat, creating richly coloured, durable and jewel like decoration in tones of turquoise, cobalt, deep red and sometimes, yellow and white. Historically practiced between the late Mughal and 19th century periods, enamelwork today represents a largely extinct craft tradition. Surviving pieces are important not only as antiques but as evidence of a lost technical tradition.

Cup

Cup

(pya-leh) پیالہ

Late 19th century Origin: Kashmir Provenance: Europe Material: Gilded copper with enamel inlay This refined Kashmiri teacup showcases Meenakari ornamentation with a palette of deep cobalt, turquoise, and white, emphasizing floral tendrils and rosettes. The standout feature is the highly stylized, scrolling handle, an unusual addition for Kashmiri metalwork, where handles are typically plain, utilitarian or absent in case of traditional cups. The handle is not only enameled but also cut in a pierced, undulating form, likely inspired by European Rococo influence, hinting at cross-cultural exchange during the colonial period. This kind of cup would have been part of elite tea service sets introduced during the late Dogra rule, used in formal gatherings or for display in affluent households. Its intricacy and decoration suggest it was as much a status object as a functional item. Private Collection - Trām and Beyond

Not for Sale
Bowl

Bowl

(ṭour) ٹور

Late 19th century CE Origin: Kashmir Provenance: Europe Material: Gilded Copper with enamel inlay This intricately crafted bowl showcases the exquisite Kashmiri Meenakari tradition in which elaborate motifs were engraved into copper, that were then filled with vibrant enamel using a technique that involved the fusion of coloured glass powder to the metal surface through firing. The stylized floral and arabesque patterns, reflect the Persian and Mughal aesthetic influences on Kashmirs metalwork heritage Private Collection - Trām and Beyond

Not for Sale