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Hi,

Here is a large, heavy, screw-top container, presumably of Indian origin:



It's about 9" (23cm) in height, and about 7" (18cm) in width.



Both lid and container are marked '84':



It is marked 'BEST·BEST·GERMAN·SILVER' around a crowned head in profile, and 'RUTONJI JAHANGIR':



It bears the following inscription:







An internet search reveals just a couple of items bearing the name 'Rutonji Jahangir', one piece that is marked 'Made in Germany', and another 'Made in Austria', so perhaps 'Rutonji Jahangir' was/is a retailer or importer. This item does not appear to be of European manufacture and bears an inscription, perhaps in Gujarati. This piece appears to be extremely thickly plated and I guessing it was not made for domestic use, but perhaps for hotel use maybe.

A few questions; Has anyone come across this mark before, or has any information about this firm? Does anyone know the intended use for such a container? Can anyone translate the inscription?

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

Trev.

It looks like a "dabba," a vessel used to deliver food. Try a web search on "Dabbawala," the name of a person who delivers such food in India. I guess you could say he would be the equivalent of the pizza delivery guy in the U.S. I wish we had them here in the U.S. I love Indian cuisine!

Hi Diana,

Thanks for the lead. Yes, I think you are correct, a dabba it is.

Now all we need is translation.

Trev.

Its taken over six years, but finally I think we're nearing the bottom of this mystery mark:


Arthur Krupp - Austria - 1904



The way I read it, this piece is likely of Indian manufacture using material supplied by Berndorfer Metallwaaren-fabrik.

Trev.