A mysterious and uniquely designed tray from the historic city of
Bidar in South India is at risk of being exported from the UK
unless a buyer can be found.
The ‘Tear Shaped Bidri Tray’, which is believed to have been made
in the first half of the 17th century by an unknown craftsman,
has been blocked from export by , Minister for Arts, Heritage
and Tourism, to provide an opportunity to keep it in the country.
The tray, deemed to be of a rare size and shape and unparalleled
finesse, is in a metalworking technique known as ‘Bidri’, the
name deriving from the capital city of the Bahmanid sultanate of
the Deccan which was one of the major Muslim kingdoms of medieval
India.
It is also believed to be one of only two bidri objects to have
its entire outer surface covered in silver inlay, decorated
through a complex intertwining of scrolling lines bearing leaves
and stylised flowers.
17th century Bidriware is rare in any collection in the world,
with the vast majority of pieces in UK public and private
collections dating from the 19th century. Even the Jagdish and
Kamla Mittal Museum of Indian Art, which has the finest
collection of Bidriware in the world, does not own a tray of this
type.
, Minister for Arts, Heritage
and Tourism, said:
The Tear Shaped Bidri Tray highlights the style, detail and
innovation of metalware produced on the subcontinent during
this influential period in world history.
When considering its unique nature, it is right that we do what
we can to preserve this valuable item for the nation.
Most of the tray’s ownership history is unknown. It is recorded
as having been acquired by the London-based antique dealer
Anthony “Tobi” Jack in London by at least 1974, and was owned by
the dealer Bashir Mohamed from 1974 to 2017.
Experts also believed that the tray highlights the Indian
superiority in metallurgical knowledge, or scientific study of
metals, at the time it was made. Appreciation of the zinc alloy
technique of bidri may be indirectly linked to sharing with
England how to produce metallic zinc, or carry out zinc smelting,
on an industrial scale. This would ultimately lead to a
transformation in English industrial production around a century
later.
The decision to defer the export licence follows a recommendation
by the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and
Objects of Cultural Interest, administered by The Arts Council.
They made their recommendation on the grounds that the item is of
outstanding aesthetic importance and significance for the study
of Indian and Deccan decorative arts.
Chairman of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art
and Objects of Cultural Interest, Sir Hayden Phillips, said:
This 17th century Indian tray is exquisite; both in the beauty
of its appearance, in the shape of a tear, and in the manner of
its creation. It fully reflects the sophistication of Deccan
design in the region’s monuments and interiors.
We were unanimous in our view that the tray was of outstanding
aesthetic importance and of outstanding significance to the
study of Bidri ware”.
The decision on the export licence application for the item will
be deferred until 17 April 2019. This may be extended until 17
July 2019 if a serious intention to raise funds to purchase it is
made at the recommended price of £75,000, plus VAT.
Organisations or individuals interested in purchasing the tray
should contact the RCEWA on 0845 300 6200.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Details of the item are as follows:
- Tear shaped Bidri tray
- Matching offer: £75,000 plus VAT
- Blackened zinc alloy inlaid with silver and brass,
- Measurements: length 35cm, width 29cm, height 3 cm.
The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects
of Cultural Interest is an independent body, serviced by The Arts
Council, which advises the Secretary of State for Digital,
Culture, Media and Sport on whether a cultural object, intended
for export, is of national importance under specified criteria.
The Arts Council champions, develops and invests in artistic and
cultural experiences that enrich people’s lives. It supports a
range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries – from
theatre to digital art, reading to dance, music to literature,
and crafts to collections: www.artscouncil.org.uk.
A Buyer’s Premium is an additional percentage charge on the
hammer price, which is charged by the auctioneer to cover their
expense.
