A Kashmir silver raised bon bon dish dating from the last years of the 19th century
The Kashmir silversmiths used the patterns they could see around them and the chinar leaf was the favourite motif
The Chinar tree is a fundamental part of Kashmiri character and culture. Its huge, unmistakable leaves, which look like hands, have been caught for ages in Kashmiri verse, workmanship, and composing
This bon bon dish shows the quality interpretation of the chinar motif by the silversmith- possibly crafted just using a nail
Usually the Kashmir silver is of the highest quality – the more the silver the content the easier it is to get that crisp detail
The design of this piece is also very charming . The shaped bowl still retains the original gilding – perfect for nuts. A leaf forms the base and the stem of the dish has been crafted to look like the stem of the chinar flower
Fine quality indeed
Every year as the Lunar New Year approaches I try