A rare silver tea service from colonial India discovered in a Norfolk loft could make £1,200 when it goes under the hammer later this month <Nov 29>.
Exactly how the three-piece set made its way 5,000 miles from Gujarat to north Norfolk is unknown, but it is thought the owner’s ancestors had been part of the British Raj.
Hansons Auctioneers’, Mary Swallow, said: “The service was found in a local loft wrapped in old newspaper. The owners don’t want to be named, but it had been in their family for at least two generations and we know their forebears had connections to colonial India.”
The intricate repoussé style is known as Kutch, named after the region in Gujarat, in northwest India, where it was made for the export market in the late 19th century.
Made initially by craftsmen for the local colonials, demand for the distinctive style soon grew – especially after it appeared in the Great Exhibition of 1851.
Before long a number of Indian workshops opened to satisfy the booming market, each creating pieces in the European style of a teapot, milk jug and sugar basin.
In fact, at the height of its popularity, even the best-known British silversmiths including Elkington & Co began to emulate the Chinese style.
Although unstamped, with its rare elephant finials and serpent spout, the set is likely the work of Oomersi Mawji, considered by many to be the greatest Indian silversmith of the 19thcentury.
Mary said: “Pieces by Oomersi Mawji and his workshop are particularly prized by collectors. Mawji was born into the mochi or cobbler class, and like many of his peers transitioned from metal-decorated leather objects, such as shields, to silversmithing. His talent was apparent from an early age and he went on to be the court silversmith to the maharajah of Kutch.”
His trademark designs were intricate, densely-scrolling vines and animals, as well as figural handles in the form of snakes, elephants, tigers and lions, all produced in magnificent repoussé, she added.
With his sons, Mawji ran the most successful workshop in India on occasions signing their pieces “O.M” or “O.M BHUJ”. The word Bhuj referring to the town where the silversmiths were based.
Mary continued: “It is a delightful service with the most remarkable provenance and history. We are delighted to be playing a part in the next part of its journey.”
Auction Details
Auction: Norfolk November Jewellery, Silver, Watch & Fine Art Auction
Auction date: 29th November 2025 | 10am
Location: Hansons Norfolk Saleroom
Auction contact: [email protected]
Catalogue/bidding: www.hansonslive.co.uk | www.the-saleroom.com
