Steel, overlaid with gold and silver, Sialkot, c. 1884

The cusped circular top is overlaid with gold in concentric bands radiating out from a central rosette. The cusped edge is raised from the flat surface of the rest of the top, and has trefoil mouldings marking the intersection of each cusp. The concentric bands contain scrolling ornament and are divided by narrow bands of small solid circles within double lines. The gold decoration is thickly applied to a cross-hatched ground, and some of the motifs are tooled. The top is rivetted to the tall pedestal so that it sits at a slight angle and the joint is slightly loose. The pedestal is overlaid with silver, as is the underside of the top.

Given by the Stuart family

Acquired by the donor's grandmother at the Delhi Durbar of 1911, when she was told that the piece was made in 1884.

Sialkot in the Punjab was a major centre in the 19th century for the ornamentation of steel domestic artefacts with gold, usually applied as overlay. Before then, the artisans almost certainly produced steel weapons and armour that was similarly overlaid (or inlaid) with gold, until the industry was prohibited by the British after their annexation of the Punjab in 1849. This exceptionally fine example of the goldsmith's art was acquired by the donor's grandmother at the Delhi Durbar of 1911, when she was told that the piece was made in 1884.

IS.4-2009