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Hey All,

I'm new here and I do hope some of the experts here can help out with regards to the following.
I have this very early 18th century teacaddy with an openworked body with a variety of exotic birds and animals. Most likely it finds its heritage in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) during the VOC period. The base has only two (badly) struck hallmarks.

Anyone any idea what they are?





Thank you in advance!


Gary Friar

sry, im not able to upload the images. Its been over 10 years attending a forum.

Hi Gary, welcome to the forum. The tea caddy appears to have Islamic Indian and or Persian motifs. The unclear marks do not have any resemblance to the known VOC marks used in former Batavia or Ceylon, as such I would not call the tea caddy Dutch. If it is open-worked (liner?)I doubt it to be a tea caddy and perhaps more a holder for potpourri. In my opinion, based upon your image, the time period not early 18th but rather 19th century-early 20th period. Could you give use the sizes and how does the stopper looks like?
Below the known Ceylon (Colombo) & Batavia town marks;

Colombo double mark; key with arrow and town mark Colombo before 1760, later up flying pigeon and pigeon on mango tree

Batavia

Peter.

oel wrote:Hi Gary, welcome to the forum. The tea caddy appears to have Islamic Indian and or Persian motifs. The unclear marks do not have any resemblance to the known VOC marks used in former Batavia or Ceylon, as such I would not call the tea caddy Dutch. If it is open-worked (liner?)I doubt it to be a tea caddy and perhaps more a holder for potpourri. In my opinion, based upon your image, the time period not early 18th but rather 19th century-early 20th period. Could you give use the sizes and how does the stopper looks like?
Below the known Ceylon (Colombo) & Batavia town marks;

Colombo double mark; key with arrow and town mark Colombo before 1760, later up flying pigeon and pigeon on mango tree

Batavia

Peter.

Thank you very kindly for assistance Peter. Its much appreciated.

I must correct myself the body is not fully worked open. So it think i will stick with a teacaddy for that matter?

They depiction of indian camels and eliphants could well mean that its from India or Persia.
also the general look of motifs are very islamic/persian. And so do the marks.

Please find better quality images below

What are your thoughts after seeing these and the stopper.

Thank you and kind regards.

Hi, travelling with out my reference books. Indeed very nice tea caddy, sliding top ( antique style).
Perhaps check out Oomersi Mawji royal silversmith to the Maharaos of Kutch (late 19th century). Mawji’s workshop in Bhuj was enterprising and received many fine commissions. Helped by his sons and using silver of an extremely high purity (normally 95-98%) he produced many masterpieces. He worked predominantly in the Kutch style but also in the Madras swami and Calcutta rural village style. Maker's mark O.M BHUJ ( location of his workshop)
Or check out Raj silver
http://silverfromindia1850-1920.blogspo ... jarat.html


Peter.